Ethos

"Ethos" emerged from a desire to reconnect with a fundamental aspect of my artistry that had become obscured over time: the clarity and simplicity of line work.

What do I mean by “line”? A line is the purest form of expression—a simple mark on a surface that transforms the unmanifest into the manifest, bringing something into existence from nothing. It’s a physical manifestation of creative intent, an edge that defines and shapes.

As my use of color and brushwork evolved, becoming more vibrant and expansive, I found myself missing the elegance and simplicity of working with charcoal. The starkness of a charcoal line, even one made with the most basic tool—a burnt vine—speaks to the primal essence of creation, echoing the early expressions of humanity: "I AM." There’s a refined beauty in the way a line, guided by the human hand, imprints itself on paper with precision and grace.

In contrast, color is seductive and fast-paced. It drives me to add more, moving rapidly across the canvas, building layer upon layer of texture and vibrancy. Yet, in this rush, the initial spontaneity of the underlying drawing often becomes buried, lost beneath the weight of paint.

In this series, I sought to create something simpler, more linear, yet still rich in detail. I’ve chosen to reveal the structural drawings that form the foundation of these works, deliberately abstaining from color to distinguish this series from my past creations. The use of charcoal, along with sepia and yellow ochre, brings a quiet, duo-toned palette to these large-scale canvases, embracing the principle of “Less is More.”

These paintings are deeply personal, reflecting my current desire to simplify—my art, my life, and my experiences. By stripping away the complexities, I’ve allowed myself to respond more freely to the calls for expression, unburdened by concerns of style, color, or the expectations tied to my previous work. This exploration of the unknown excites my soul.

My personal psychology and evolving worldview have also influenced this body of work, pushing me to delve deeper into my relationships with others, the collective consciousness, and the ideas I’ve held onto throughout my life. As I navigate through these reflections, I’m beginning to see how much my perspectives have shifted. I’m no longer the person I once thought I was. Change, it turns out, is the only constant in my life—an ever-present force that, ironically, remains consistent.

Having recently battled cancer once again, I’ve started to reassess what I truly know about myself, the world, and my beliefs in a higher power, whether it be God, the Supreme Being, or Krishna.

This exhibition marks the beginning of an ongoing inner dialogue, artistically expressed. It’s just the start. I plan to explore our relationships with the animal kingdom, with ourselves, with one another, and with religion. I’ll also delve into motifs on artificial intelligence and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

This last area, the potential discovery that we are not alone and that our understanding of history and religion could be fundamentally challenged, is a daunting yet irresistible creative exploration. It has the power to shake our very foundations, and I’m compelled to confront it head-on.