Artist's Statement

There are two men inside the artist, the poet and the craftsman. One is born a poet. One becomes a craftsman.”
— Émile Zola

Over 30 years ago I started my art career as a painter but in 1990 I put away my brushes and began concentrating solely on digital imagery. Using the computer as a tool, I attempted to express my political, spiritual, and humanistic concerns. Inspiration ranged from a particular moment in my life to an event taking place on the world stage. I tried, however, to keep the work open-ended enough to allow personal interpretation on the part of the viewer. I saw my role as a visual artist as that of a poet but instead of using words, I composed with images, combining them in unique ways to create a personal statement.

Several years ago I felt the impulse to challenge myself by painting again and began doing small landscapes and still lifes. My overarching goal was to become a better craftsman without diminishing the poetry.

Today my work has come full circle. I still paint occasionally but my main focus has been on creating digital imagery, both abstract and landscape-based.

S.P. Goodman