Unreal Spaces evolved from my Stream series, utilizing the visual vocabulary developed in that series.

The geography implied in Unreal Spaces references the architecture and contours of Pittsburgh. In my walks through the neighborhoods of my city I became very aware of the structure of the streets, with its triangle blocks, breezeways and alleys. The city has an organic quality to its structure, with houses and buildings evolving and decaying in their use and function. Much of the architecture has strange, almost purposeless, features.

At the same time, I was interested in working with random elements. Starting with a larger sheet allows aesthetic selection in an otherwise random process that can be guided but not controlled. The fuming and coloring are a way of beginning a dialogue with somewhat random components. The dialogue is begun with the first step in selecting sections to trim from the larger sheets and continues through the process of mark-making. Sections are selected from the mother sheets based on balance between light and dark and to movement and flow. In many ways, this is a time-based series, with elements of journaling.

The process of creating the works is remarkably sensual, from the acrid smell of smoke to the application of wax. Wax adds another layer of random marks to work from. It further blurs the scorched marks and provides an additional base for texture. Wax allows for detail in linear marks and provides a subtle gleam to the surface. Breaking the surface of the wax provides texture.