Artist Statement:
“It’s not about the paint. Or the canvas. It’s about digging deep enough to stir the soul.”
My art is all about experimentation, exploration and rolling the dice -- allowing chance to play an important role in shaping the final product. I paint almost exclusively in acrylic on a variety of surfaces, employing a selection of non-traditional painting tools – many of which I make myself – to produce arresting images with a sense of depth and sculptural form. My technique merges action painting with bold calligraphic styling to create art that is contemplative, contemporary and compelling.
I consider my best work -- which is highly physical, gestural and expressive -- a whole body exercise in storytelling. Even in its most abstract.
I paint mostly in black and white -- inspired by any number of European Art Informel and American abstractionists. Among them, Kline, Motherwell, Still, Hofmann, Richter, de Kooning and so many others. Pierre Soulages -- with his concentration on the light reflecting qualities of black -- has influenced me more than just about any other artist.
I'm honored to have my art represented in collections within and outside the U.S. I've exhibited extensively in regional and national juried shows, including “Art by America, A National Review of Two-Dimensional Contemporary Art” in Chicago, "Controlling Chaos: Aleatoric Art in the Twenty First Century" in Ft Myers, Florida and "Art Comes Alive 2018" in Cincinnati, Ohio.
I'm also proud to be one of only 44 international artists featured in Aleatoric Art in the 21st Century. At 240 pages, this coffee table-sized book is the definitive volume on the role of chance in contemporary fine art.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, University of Oregon
Awards & Distinctions:
Aleatoric Art in the 21st Century. Featured as one of only 44 international artists. At 240 pages, this coffee table-sized book is the definitive volume on the role of chance in contemporary fine art.
Artfolio 2020 & 2021. These beautiful coffee table-sized books feature “A curated collection of the world's most exciting artists” as decided by an international jury of professional artists, museum curators, gallery owners, art consultants and collectors.
Studio Visit Magazine, Volumes 17 & 39; result of a juried national competition.
Abstract Artist of the Year; Art Comes Alive 2021; Juried Exhibition in United States
Professional/Teaching Experience:
Self-taught artist
Exhibitions:
Select Exhibitions:
2021
Art Comes Alive 2021; ADC Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio; Jurors: Multiple; Abstract Painter of the Year
Black, Grey & White; Art House Gallery; International curated exhibition; Juror: Rebecca George
Art Now America; Slocum Gallery; National Exhibition; Juror: Mike Calway-Fagen
Expressions West; Coos Art Museum; American West Coast Exhibition; Juror: Yuji Hiratsuka
That Which Surrounds You; Arts Benicia; International curated exhibition; Juror: Asya Abdrahman
2019
CVG Show 2019; Collective Visions Gallery; Juror: Gary Faigan
2018
Art Comes Alive 2018 (National); ADC Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio; Jurors: Multiple
Expressions Northwest; Northwind Arts Center; Juror: Margaret Bullock
Think Big; Northwind Arts Center; Juror: Michael Paul Miller
CVG 2018; Collective Visions Gallery; Juror: Teresa Saia
2017
Open Juried Art Show; Peninsula Art League; Juror: Michael Stasinos
Expressions Northwest; Northwind Art Center; Juror: Susan Warner
Alchemy of the Abstract, Northwind Arts Center, JUROR'S CHOICE AWARD; Juror: Jonathan Wood
CVG 2017; Collective Visions Gallery; Juror: Ned Mueller
2016
Expressions Northwest; Northwind Art Center; Juror: Patricia Watkinson
Art Convergence; Port Angeles Fine Arts Center; Juror: Mike McCollum
Expressions West; Coos Art Museum; Juror: Leslie Kenneth Price
CVG 2016; Collective Visions Gallery; Juror: Leilani Lewis
2015
Expressions Northwest; Northwind Art Center; Juror: Kathleen Moles
“Art by America, A National Review of Two-Dimensional Contemporary Art” (National); Art House Gallery, Chicago, Illinois; Curators: Rebecca George and Arthur Connor
2014
Small format group show; Bilinear Art Gallery; Curator: Eric Swangstu
Art Convergence; Port Angeles Fine Art Center; Juror: Karen Hackenburg
Saatchi Art Showdown; Top 30 finalist in "The Body Electric"; Juror: Raffi Kalenderian
Controlling Chaos: Aleatoric Art in the Twenty First Century (National); Lee County Alliance for the Arts; Ft Myers, Florida; Curator: Veron Ennis
Columbia Winery VIP Tasting Room; SOLO Exhibition; Curator: Lisa Desfaugeres
North by Northwest; Bilinear Art Gallery; Curator: Eric Swangstu
Artistic Influences:
I paint mostly in black and white -- inspired by any number of European Art Informel and American abstract expressionists. Among them, Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell, Clifford Still, Hans Hofmann, Gerhardt Richter, Willem de Kooning and so many others. Pierre Soulages -- with his concentration on the light reflecting qualities of black -- has influenced me more than just about any other artist.
Artist Tags:
abstract, black and white, painting, contemporary, expressive, surreal
