statement
I began painting in 2001 after a 30 year career as a graphic designer in New York City. I think of design as problem solving. My first career took many interesting turns from publishing and cosmetics houses to ad agencies. In 1983, I formed my own award-winning design studio, Carlo Associates and served as creative director for 20 years. At Carlo, we specialized in designing packaging and displays, catalogs and brochures. One of my most rewarding experiences was designing the Grand Central Books store in New York's landmark, Grand Central Station. All my experience and skills were put to use in that wonderful building. It was an opportunity to create an entire environment from light fixtures to furniture and book cabinets as well as collateral materials. And once again I experienced the pleasure of meeting and bringing together talented, energetic people.
Since I began my studies in botanical art and natural science illustration at the New York Botanical Garden and painting at the Art Student's League, color has gone from "plastic" PMS swatches to fluid watercolor for me. The mixing of paint to create a new color is the consuming experience of my youth. I understand Matisse’s joy in his letter to his son Pierre about the color red that he mixed one day. Also, my work is subject driven. I am entirely fascinated by birds. Their form and beauty, their long history and the delicate environment in which they must survive. I hope that my work will make a contribution to avian studies and conservation. In Spring 2006, I will be traveling to Central America. This experience will offer an opportunity for me to study and paint more exotic bird species.
I think of myself as a designer and problem solver still, but, like the Japanese calligraphers I aspire to spend my future in the pursuit of that one perfect thing: to capture the essence of my subjects in watercolor. It’s spontaneous and lyrical, luminous and translucent, demanding and quick. It surprises you and draws you in like a clear pool to a deeper ocean.
I greatly admire Audubon and the society that bears his name, the botanical art of the Dutch oil painters, the Italian master painter Caravaggio, Cezanne’s still life paintings, Monet’s palette, Giovanna Garzoni, who painted still lifes for the Medici at the Italian court, Marilena Pistoia, a contemporary botanical artist who teaches at the University of Bologna, and Katie Lee, who teaches and works in the U.S. In nature photography, I’m drawn to the structural forms of Karl Blossfeldt. For the exquisite gesture, I admire the style of the Japanese and Chinese brush painters. Due to the influence of these artists, my work has more "weight" and detail than one might expect from a watercolorist.