As a (relatively) new Coachella Valley resident, having moved to the Palm Springs area in late 2023, it occurred to me that I could take my new environment and delve into depicting in paint a social reality of gay men interacting freely, in congenial spaces, to be a visual chronicler, as it were. I plan to do a whole series in watercolor and oil. What truly intrigues me as a painter is a social construct: glances between people, a sense of camaraderie or perhaps longing, things not always expressed in words.
My idea is to go after and record all manner of types of people employing a sketch-like rather than detailed manner, an unfussy and vital liveliness that is appealing and, above all, fun.
I’ll begin with The Pool Party (above), and here are By the Pool, The Green Raft and Conversation in the Pool. More paintings on this theme to come. Stay tuned.
