I am a visual thinker and a craftsman of light, color and space. I am able to demonstrate the graphic properties of light and shadow and show how they can transform space and relate to form.  Color plays a huge role in my work as a way of demonstrating mood or drawing attention to the image.

My paintings, sculptures and installations share a common mark that reflects a natural pattern. I am very intrigued by science and nature and I use it as an inspiration in some of my work. I have explored the patterns of movement created by wind and the images suggested by the concept of a wormhole.

I think the most interesting thing about my work is that it demonstrates my ability to experiment with different marks and materials. In a lot of my work the focus is more the mark than the subject. I like the three dimensional qualities of applying paint with a pallet knife. I like to think of it as a way of combining painting with sculpture. I have been experimenting with installation artwork for the past two years and I am especially captivated with the possibilities presented with the use of different types of lights, colored filters and shadows. I think of it as a way of sculpting space.

Art has always played a major role in my education. I started creating art when I was very young. I didn’t talk a lot and sometimes had a hard time communicating with people. When I started making art the pieces would get people’s attention and they would ask me questions. I like to talk about my artwork and it gave me an opportunity to become more relaxed when I talk to people. It was through art that I was able to build the confidence and self-esteem to achieve success and perform better in my academic subjects as well. Since I began to successfully demonstrate my artistic skills I have grown more confident and have been able to overcome some of the obstacles that result from my learning differences. I sometimes have problems with ideas or concepts that can’t be translated visually. Early in my education it became clear that my strengths were art related. I love art because I like how people react to my work. I hope that when people see my work they are able to experience a different way of seeing the concept that I am trying to represent.

In May 2012 I graduated from the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland. Carver was a very supportive environment for me and I was able to explore my vision as an artist. I started at Carver as a young man with some drawing and sculpting skills and graduated as a knowledgeable artist with a full palate of artistic appreciation. I have explored and am inspired by artists like Vincent Van Gogh for his use of color and mark which I have mimicked in some of my work, Wayne Thiebaud for his use of color and simplicity, Edward Hopper for his dramatic use of space, the sculpture work of the old masters like Michelangelo and modern sculpture installation artists like Robert Irwin and David Trubridge. My work reflects inspiration from these artists and others. It is my intention to see how far my imagination can take me and the rest of the world through my art.    ~ DG