Artist Statement

My work is an attempt to depict the multitude of feelings and sensations encountered in nature. The mystery and drama of each human presence is the inspiration for all of my paintings. My subject matter is people, their kindness and cruelty but above all their miraculous physical presence and mysterious psychological states.

In my paintings, I work directly from life using oil paint. My technique involves numerous layers - a piling on and a taking off of paint until I get the result that I want. This often involves several sessions or it can sometimes be accomplished in a single session. Either way, my main intent is to bring life to the painting.

My ceramic sculptures are created without referring to a model. I begin with no specific intention but as I manipulate the clay I am guided by the forms and ideas the material suggests. Clay offers the potential to create forms that suggest themselves as the piece builds. I don't think of a title or theme as I work; it is the clay that suggests the form it wants to take. I simply help it along by making bold changes; a twisting, turning or tearing of the clay slabs always reveals a human posture or detail. My study of the human form through drawing and painting has enhanced and informed my imagination in sculpture.

- Stephen Schatz