I was talking to an associate of mine one night at a dinner party. The conversation turned to art. As I told him about my series of abstracts he lit up with the idea of filming a documentary on my process. I hadn't realized he was a filmmaker. Over a nice California Cab, we vowed to do this thing.

A few months later I flew to his home north of Seattle. I was to be the subject of a film. I was honored by his enthusiasm. It also led me to explore the deeper purpose of my work.

That purpose has been sparked by a personal fear. The fear that with all the modern technology and the culture of being over worked, we may gradually be reducing our interaction with nature to nothing more than a potted plant in our company lobby. In effect removing our lives from nature, and nature from our lives. That's a terrible tragedy. I realized just in time that what got taken from me by the corporate world, got renewed by the natural world. By going outside with the intent to create, my soul was replenished on two levels. Art and nature.

Given that I do these paintings with natural debris, I am kept completely in the moment. In the sense that you have no idea what kind of mark a root ball, or a feather will make. I'm in the hands of nature. It's quite a way to paint. It connects me with what is around. With what is real. Emotionally and physically. I often fantasize that I'm a conduit for nature. Painting the self portrait nature would paint if it could. As I paint, in and with the landscape, I'm very careful. I make sure I do no harm. I make sure I leave no trace. I feel that art is a natural wonder all its own. Art and nature are two things to be revered and protected.

As for the documentary. It is still being made. Like art, it will tell us when it's done.

Film director : Gregory S. Walsh