100 Water Towers, towers within a 50 mile radius of Mt. Dora, FL, 6in. x 4in., oil on panel, 1998-2000

100 Water Towers portray water tanks and fire towers found in skies above and around Lake County, Florida. Tracking down and studying these coolly utilitarian, visually abandoned beacons and the places they help define has given me new insight into idiosyncrasies inherent in tower culture. Translated through paint the towers become metaphors of contrast: of monumentality and insignificance; offensiveness and intrigue; artificiality and nature. Iconic in form, the juxtaposition of these paintings evokes surprise, humor, and enlightenment.