About Doug Staples

The interplay of light moving into or through darkness has always captivated me, especially in nature, but also when captured in photography, various art forms, literature, music, and the Scriptures. A small distant parcel of a storm darkened landscape illuminated by a single shaft of light, the warm hue of city lights mirrored off low autumn clouds traversing the deep night sky, or a beloved passage in the Gospel of John, ‘the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot put it out’ would be examples. Consequently, my paintings often reflect this fascination, although lately I have consciously introduced lighter colors to infuse a brighter and more peaceful/hopeful quality into the work. I perceive contrasts in color and movement as symbolic of broader dichotomies between dark and light, hopelessness and hope, disorder/ confusion and peacefulness. Perhaps the actual painting process is best described as meditative or a quiet reflective expressionism within the theme of light and color moving into or through darker shades and passages. I have yet to learn how to make the paintings truly immersive — that is, drawing someone into the painting and letting them discover something by themselves and for themselves. However, if the paintings can contribute a sense of peace, harmony, or hopefulness on a spiritual, emotional, or physical level to anyone, I would consider myself more than fortunate.