Artist “It is the passion to create works that visually, as well as subconsciously, stir the emotions and enliven the spirit that keep painting forever exciting.”

What is "IT" in a given work, that visually and universally will grab the eye of an observer . . . hold it . . . and emotionally charge them? What is "IT" that make the most poignant pieces demand to be seen and felt?

For forty years I have been observing, questioning, analyzing, and practicing visual arts as a graphic designer and as a painter. What is apparent is that some art moves almost no one, some art moves many, but a few exceptional pieces move almost everyone. In fine art painting, "IT" isn’t so much the subject matter but how the subject matter is put down on a simple piece of canvas or paper with any media.

Whatever the subject matter, for me it is foremost design of the main shapes and then color that rules. My explorations and pursuits in painting are always driven by the need to understand and master the subtleties and complexities of both while maintaining control of the materials and methods of which I am using.

Throughout the years of painting I have experimented with a variety of media and methods. There are so many avenues to take, each with it’s own twist and turn and each offering it’s own uniqueness, beauty and challenges. Different surfaces, pigments and tools . . . all are there for the artist to work with . . . and the exploration never ends.

GALLERY SHOWS & JURIED EXHIBITIONS
American Art in Miniature, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK 1999-2006 • Oil Painters of America Annual National Exhibition, Howard Manville Gallery, Kirkland, WA 2004 • Mockingbird Gallery/Collectors Classic Show, Bend, OR 2002-2005 • Mockingbird Gallery/2-4 Person Show, Bend, OR 2003, 2004, 2006 • Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery/April & October Group Shows, Portland, OR 1997-2006 • Miniatures 2002 Show, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM • Oil Painters of America Annual National Exhibition 2001-2002 • "Pastels U.S.A" PSWC 15th Annual International, Tower Theater Gallery, Roseville, CA 2001 • C. M. Russell Museum Auction of Original Art, Great Falls, MT 1999-2002 • C. M. Russell Museum Miniature Show, Great Falls, MT 1999, 2000, 2003 • Wichita National Miniature Art Show, Wichita, KS 2000 • Pastel Society of New Mexico National Pastel Show, Albuquerque, NM 2000


PLEIN AIR PAINTOUT & SHOW
Mockingbird Gallery Plein Air, Bend, Oregon 2003-2006

MEMBERSHIPS
Oil Painters of America 2000-2006
WAOW (Women Arts of the West) 2001-2003
Northwest Pastel Society 1998-2002
Oregon Pastel Society 1998-2002

AWARDS
"2001 Winsor Newton Award of Excellence", Oil Painters of American Show
Pastel Journal’s "Second Annual Pastel 100" 2001, Finalist in Abstract CategoryPainters Showcase 1998, People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice

GALLERY AFFILIATIONS
Mockingbird Gallery, Bend, OR 2001-2006
Rental Sales Gallery Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR 1997–2006