Artist Statement: For the past three decades, I’ve been building a portfolio that depicts a visual snapshot of the Arkansas I know and remember. Beginning with scenes from southeastern Arkansas for the most part, I have gradually extended my search to other areas for inspiration. These paintings come from our family travels and of course, places around Fayetteville where we live.
Subject matter varies widely. There are paintings rooted in memory. And other pieces closely examine in detail the natural landscape as it is now. I enjoy showing what we have done to our state and also illustrating the places where we have left it alone. I try to give the viewer a feeling of the current landscape and how that relates to the past.
I never suggest that we need to return to the “old days” and I think remembering is compatible with the contemporary. Both perspectives exist in this collection that seeks to tie it all together.—Daniel, July 2019