In September of 2025 I was a Visiting Artist at the American Academy in Rome. This was my second stay at AAR, and once again it proved to be inspirational and productive. I had a marvelous studio in which to work. As you see in these works I have incorporated Latin inscriptions. Inscriptions are seen throughout Rome. They provide a source of information about the diverse population of the city and the Greco-Roman world, impacting knowledge and understanding of the culture that produced them. Diverse in nature, inscriptions of social, political, military, or religious life provide informative, if fragmented insights. Sepulchral inscriptions speak directly of the people themselves and form the largest number of all.

My use of Latin inscriptions provides insight into what I see in my paintings.

 

In 2016 the focus of my time at AAR was studying the "faces and fountains of Rome." This series of 3-dimensional mixed media collages came out of that wonderful experience. All of these works were completed in Rome, then beautifully framed in Michigan.

SECRETVM HORTIS, “Secret Garden
2025
acrylic, graphite and photocollage on paper
42 x 25"
SECRETVM HORTIS, “Secret Garden
2025
acrylic, graphite and photocollage on paper
42 x 25"
AGNVS ET PASTOR, “Lamb and Sheperd”
2025
acrylic, graphite and photocollage on paper
42 x 25"
AGNVS ET PASTOR, “Lamb and Sheperd”
2025
acrylic, graphite and photocollage on paper
42 x 25"
CONTINEBAT SOLVM AD MORTEM “Contained Only at Death”
2025
acrylic, graphite and photocollage on paper
42 x 25"
CONTINEBAT SOLVM AD MORTEM “Contained Only at Death” view 2
2025
acrylic, graphite and photocollage on paper
42 x 25"
MULTIPLEX EST, It is Complicated
2025
acrylic and graphite on paper
42 x 25"
MULTIPLEX EST, It is Complicated, view 2
2025
acrylic and graphite on paper
42 x 25"
VITA FVIT, Life Lived
2025
maquette on foamcore, pictured at the American Academy in Rome
21 x 8 x 6"
VITA FVIT, Life Lived
2025
sculpture maquette on foamcore, pictured with artist
On route to Fontana dell’ Acqua Paola from the American Academy in Rome on Via Giacomo Medici, between Via Angelo Masina and Via Garibaldi there is a tree stump taking up a parking space. Sited as it is, just off the broken and irregular path I traverse, this noble remainder of a once hearty tree called out to me, “I’m still here.” So in the last remaining hours of my month-long stay as a Visiting Artist I felt strongly that I could not leave without paying homage and thanks to this lovely tree stump, which so graciously offered a brief pedestal for my respects. VITA FVIT, Life Lived.
21 x 8 x 6"
My studio at the American Academy in Rome
EXCOGITATORIS, “The Thinker
2025
acrylic on paper with photocollage
21 x 15"
TVNC HIEMS, “Then Winter” (The Abduction of Proserpina, Bernini)
2025
photocollage on paper
Proserpina, daughter to Jupiter and Ceres, goddess of agriculture, was taken by Pluto to the underworld. Hearing her daughter’s screams, Ceres dried the earth causing harvests to fail. Jupiter negotiated a deal – each would have Proserpina for half the year. This myth symbolizes changing seasons: when Proserpina was with Pluto, nature dies and winter begins; when she is with Ceres, the earth is spring.
15 x 15"
ROMA FORTIS EST NATURA VALIDIOR EST “Rome is Strong, Nature is Stronger”
2025
acrylic and photocollage on paper
21 x 15"
Roma 1
2016
acrylic on paper, graphite on clayboard mounted on clayboard
30 x 30 x 6"
detail of Roma 1
Roma 2
2016
acrylic and graphite on paper and clayboard
30 x 30" each (6 sections)
Roma 2 detail
Roma 4
Roma 3
2016
acrylic and graphite on paper and clayboard
30 x 30" each (6 sections)
Roma 3 detail
Roma 4
2016
Acrylic on paper on clayboard
30 x 30 x 6”
Detail of Roma 4
Roma 5
2016
acrylic on paper, graphite on clayboard mounted on clayboard
30 x 30 x 6"
Roma 5
2016
Acrylic on paper and clay board
30” x 30” x 6”
Detail of Roma 5
Our Past Nourishes Us
2020
Acrylic on paper on clayboard
12 x 12 “
Then and Now
2020
Mixed media
12 x 12”