ARTIST STATEMENT
I have taken the approach that painting is not precious and I select materials that are less traditional. I never use canvas, I prefer plywood or found wood surfaces so I can physically alter or remove the image in a reductive manner, by sanding or scraping the surface away and reimagining the ghost visage. I want to work into the layers of paint and the surface of the wood with pencils, tools, and in a literal way, reveal the subject of the painting.
Day in and day out I present as a cheerful, helpful, friendly person – parts of a life’s goal to achieve contentment. While at the same time I often move away from this public reality toward my struggle to embrace an internal perspective that reveals the emotional layers beneath. Through that desire for revelation and my artist-mujer-dyke lens, this completed body of work looks for what is beneath the surface.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I spend my life in Berwyn Illinois with my partner of 27 years, our 2 pitbulls, and our cat. My studio is in our uninsulated garage, I try to paint or draw every weekend. I work at Howard Brown Health as the Director of Education and I consult with the NIH PLUS Consortium.
© Cec Hardacker