Do you really believe that with all the stars in the sky, only ours contains a planet in its orbit capable of sustaining life? For those who find the context of my art strange, I suggest to you that the idea that we are alone in the universe is far stranger. We also have an egocentric way of visualizing other life forms in outer space. This is not entirely our fault. For years, Hollywood depicted aliens with enormous heads, gigantic eyes, and strangely colored textured skin. These creatures might have tails, horns, pointy ears, etc.; but in order to accommodate an actor playing the part, the aliens could not deviate too radically from humanoid form. Most aliens had two arms and two legs until the advent of computer graphics saved us from such limitations. Yet, today's 'space art,' much of it computer generated, still seems to follow a prescribed, commercial look in spite of all the possibilities inherent in cyber expression. That may be because many of the artists creating the images are using the same computer software.

Creation 12- glass detail

In CopperWorld, all the artwork is created on copper sheeting. In the first series, 'Creation,' no paint is used. All the images, colors and textures are created by chemical reactions on the copper. In addition to chemical manipulation, I sometimes form glass on the surface of the copper to suggest the genesis or formation of different types of matter.

A very broad range of life forms inhabit CopperWorld. The next seven paintings deal with the gestation period necessary in various species to achieve maturity. For example, in 'Gestation 7' creatures emerge in very dim light while attached to cave walls.

Habitation 1 - detail

'Habitation,' the final series in this epic, concerns itself with life forms that coexist in a given habitat. In 'Habitation 1' the atmosphere is dense and appears as a greenish fog. The life forms are all connected in this work and it's difficult to tell where one begins and another ends. A meeting is apparently in progress. On Planet Copper, communication is not made by sound but generated through touch because of the gaseous atmosphere that inhibits acoustic waves. The creatures who have evolved in this habitat have very interesting and varied skin textures. One creature in this painting has loose skin draped over its face, which draws like a curtain to allow more or less light in.

The beings present in 'Habitation 3' live either underground or in caves. They are predominantly mechanical and/or electronic in nature. Two pair of aliens connect for communication purposes in this work while the remaining creatures go about their business. 'Habitation 5' is a densely foliated place that bears some resemblance to the floor of a rain forest or jungle, but the plant and animal life is strange and unfamiliar. The sap that appears to ooze out in this painting actually glows in the dark.

Hopefully we will continue to learn more about CopperWorld.