process and intent

Painting:

I have been transformed by years spent hiking the PNW mountains and coast; absorbing the natural beauty and finding a deep, peaceful sense of awe and connection in it.

I am fascinated by the molecular machinery that runs all living things, and captivated by the arrangement and processes by which elementary particles assemble to form increasingly complex systems. My interest mainly lies in patterns which emerge at each level of this organizational hierarchy; from energy and atoms to complex ecosystems.

Inherent differences within each level of organization result in a new emergent property and therefore new characteristics. In my work I distill this complex framework into a visual rhythm. Each pattern and emergent property is then embedded in it’s context within a larger ecosystem — our entry point to this wonder and awe.

I use both modern monotype techniques and traditional painting techniques to build an image in multiple layers.

Photography:

As an avid hiker turned photographer, I’m just trying to capture the light that takes my breath away.

Exhibits & Awards

2019: Collective Visions Gallery, Bremerton, WA
2018: 21th Juried Art Show, Schack Art Center, Everett, WA
2018: The CVG Show, Collective Visions Gallery, Bremerton, WA
2018: The Salish Sea Art Show, Seattle Artist League, Seattle, WA
2017: Edmonds Art Festival, Edmonds, WA
2016: 20th Juried Art Show, Schack Art Center, Everett, WA
2016: Edmonds Art Festival, Edmonds, WA, Honorable Mention, Painting
2016: Arts of the Terrace, Mountlake Terrace, WA
2015: Edmonds Art Festival, Edmonds, WA, First Place, Painting
2015: Arts of the Terrace, Mountlake Terrace, WA
2013: American Society of Business Publication Editors Azbee Awards, Best Feature Article Design
2013: Western Publishing Association Maggie Awards, Best Color Editorial Layout/Trade
2012: American Society of Business Publication Editors Azbee Awards, Feature Article — Design (silver)
2012: Society of Professional Journalists (Western Washington Pro Chapter), Best Spread Design/Photo Essay in a Magazine
2011: Western Publications Association Maggie Awards, Best Color Editorial Layout/Trade
2009: Western Publications Association Maggie Awards, Best Web E-Newsletter/Trade & Consumer
2009: Society of Professional Journalists (Western Washington Pro Chapter), Best Spread Design in a Magazine, Best Feature Design in a Magazine
2009: Washington Trails Association Northwest Exposure, First Place: Wilderness Landscapes
2008: Western Publishing Association Maggie Awards, Best Color Editorial Layout/Trade
2007: American Society of Business Publication Editors Azbee Awards, Best Opening Page/Spread with Illustration
2006: Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2005: Center for Spiritual Living, Seattle, WA
2005: Hammond Gallery, United Kingdom
2005: Orlando Museum of Art, 1st Thursday Exhibit, Orlando, FL
2004: OVAL Gallery, Best of Orlando Exhibit, Orlando, FL
2004: OVAL Gallery, Digital Art Exhibit, 2nd place
2003: OVAL Gallery, Annual Members Only Exhibit, Best in Show
1995: Mayfaire by the Lake, Lakeland, FL
1995: Fantasy Haus Gallery, Helen, GA
1994: Mayfaire by the Lake, Lakeland, FL
1994: Fort Lauderdale Arts Festival, Fort Lauderdale, FL
1994: Ocala Arts Festival, Ocala, FL
1993: Mayfaire by the Lake, Lakeland, FL
1991: Creative Youth: 10th Congressional District Competition, Best in Show
1991: Polk Museum of Art, Student Show, Best in Show, Honorable Mention
1990: Tampa Museum of Art, Gold Key Award
1990: Polk Museum of Art, Student Show, 2nd Place
Plus 11 additional editorial layout and/or digital newsletter e-mail awards

Publication

In 2018, resident Salish Sea orcas made national attention when bereaved mother Tahlequah pushed her dead baby for 17 days. The Southern Resident orcas are unique among killer whales for a couple reasons. First, the world’s oldest known orca, J2 (Granny) was a member of the pod. She is estimated to have been 105 years old when she died in 2016. 105. Second, their diet is chinook salmon rather than seals and other mammals. While Granny may have lived to be 105, her progeny may not be as fortunate. During her lifetime her pod’s waters have become polluted with chemicals and their primary food – salmon – are unfortunately in sharp decline. The issue is so severe that the Southern Resident Orcas are the only orca group to be listed under the Endangered Species Act.

I partnered with local artists and Fredericka Foster working in conjunction with Alan Honick who is making a documentary film to raise awareness about our threatened sea and wildlife. Proceeds from the sale of our book will benefit this film.

Preview it here at Amazon: Artists Celebrate the Salish Sea: A Collaboration