These works evolved over time from my observations and experiences living in Beijing from 2005 through 2008. The colors, textures, signs, sounds and smells filled my life and for a while oversaturated my senses. Little by little, I internalized these elements and they became a rhythm in my daily as well as artistic life. The reds and grays, the rough surfaces of the walls, the mysterious marks of the calligraphy, all became normal and personal. The people that I encountered, especially the children from Bethel Foster Home where I volunteered regularly, also entered my canvases, bringing fresh meaning to my living experience in China. The strange and exotic became familiar and personal.
The Impermanence Series based on Buddha images at the grottoes of Datong is my attempt to explore the notion of existence - to see for a moment an object or life force that appears solid and real, yet is in a state of change and decay from the moment of its creation. This religious and philosophical component of many of the oriental religions initially confused my more western sensibility which tries solidifying experiences and memories. This more fluid approach to the understanding of life is one of the more mysterious responses to my time in China. I value this new perspective as I return to my life and art here in Virginia.