Tableau Vivant

The essence of an image is its silent communication. The tableau vivant, literally "the living picture," has been interpreted throughout history in many ways. While originally it was meant to describe the recreation of works of art in a manner that brought about the timelessness of the subject to the present moment, it can now enlighten the viewer or participant of his own identity and consciousness.

Edward Hopper explained that "Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world... The inner life of a human being is a vast and varied realm." I use the term tableau vivant in reference to my paintings because the still lives from my home create an underlying narrative and evoke a personal soundtrack. The silent characters in my paintings, the lamp, the bed, the interior itself, resonate in a way that is living, real, and present.

Paint can offer timelessness in its execution and convey empathy with the observation of an object. The challenge is to let the subjects begin to act in their own manner, to show me themselves as my companions in my personal space, and offer a kind of pleasure in the simplicity of reality.

2007