Artist Statement

Artist Statement

Colonel Knight 

My interest in creating fine art started when I was 9 years old.  My artwork in elementary school grew to be a passion by the time I graduated from high school.  I loved doing watercolor paintings of flowers, trees and butterflies in elementary school. In high school I worked with oils, gouache and oil pastels to create landscapes scenes.  In college I did less painting and concentrated on graphics and advertising design.

My most recent work is Works on Paper. When my work turns out well I am very satisfied.  I feel a sense of pride I complete a piece of art. I can then step away from the work. I feel even more satisfied with myself when viewers give me favorable critiques. I also interested in critiques that are not favorable. I use those comments to address new perspective in future artwork. I am particularly interested in repetition of forms in my work such as creating hatching. The art that I create is based on culture, religion and ethnic beliefs. It reflects my life from childhood to adulthood.  My themes are also of nature and the environment which has been depicted through the use of cool hues. The message that I attempt to depict in my work are a sense of sadness, endurance, sorrow, humility and happiness combined with aspects of fantasy and realism.

 I start my work by doing sketches and taking photographs of subjects. During this process I also decide the theme, subject, medium and other materials to use for the art/design.  I then work on the piece.   I know when I have completed the art/design work when I feel that I have communicated a clear message to the viewer through my art. Works on Paper is my most recent work.  Spring Flower (2011) and Violet and Grey Flowers (2011) are both monoprints with etching ink. Both were enhanced with oil pastels.