Portrait of a Lamp

The Portrait of a Lamp series features lamps that take on human qualities and personas. They find themselves in human situations and try to express themselves. I hope to convey to the viewer the same animation and life I see when I view the subject of my painting for the first time.

I enjoy creating elements of symbolism within the paintings. One lamp might have a cord which is neatly tied, hinting at her reservation and maturity, while her twin sister's cord is unrestrained, illustrating a free spirit. A missing light bulb could represent feelings of loss and emptiness. Two embracing lamps, about to be connected through the same electrical outlet, may symbolize the ultimate, electric connection two people can share. I hope to show one scene of a story that each viewer can expand for him/herself, drawing his/her own conclusions from the cues that are planted within the painting and its title.

I hope to create enough of a personality in the portrait for the viewer to picture what the lamp could look like personified. The viewer might see an old librarian, set in her ways, not wanting to embrace technology. She might wear dangly earrings that hang from stretched out ear lobes. She may smell like Avon musk and be very particular as she cares for and organizes her books. I hope to stimulate and awaken the viewer's imagination, which so often can be lost or diminished through the everyday realities of adulthood.