Harold Davis

Artist Statement

HAROLD D. DAVIS

ARTIST STATEMENT


My abstract, expressionist and impressionistic paintings emphasize the strength of free form conveyed by the application of acrylics and oil to canvas and paper. At times, my use of watercolor paper in lieu of canvas creates three dimensional works of art allowing me to manipulate and reshape the subject matter into different forms. Other styles of art comprise modern art, surrealism and cubism.

Illusions, images and shadows from dreams as well as inspirations from nature help to create different moods, visions and emotions for the viewer. Background and foreground images explode into a panorama of various colors from the canvas while creating a visionary experience of depth and expression. Often while looking at light shining through a window pane glass, I see shades of color to duplicate on my canvas.

Some of my latest works have been metal, wood, and cement sculptures. To create my metal sculpture, I bend, twist and hammer aluminum sheet metal to depict various waves and folds to create movement. I use acrylic neutral colors to achieve this effect. Other times, I use clay and other composites in my sculptures to create motion and elicit various feelings from the viewer.

The wood sculptures have incorporated the use of stained, painted driftwood collected from Long Island Sound forming rustic, cubist shapes and forms. The shadows, twists and turns of driftwood elicit various depths and warmth. The knot holes and old nails are reminiscent of a past purpose of an object. The driftwood artwork exemplifies using existing materials, reshaped and reconfigured by nature, to create something completely different. Many of the wood grains such as oak, pine and maple are naturally painted and weathered. As I place shapes, colors and wood grains together, much like doing a puzzle, certain pieces of wood give me insight as to their identity.