Artist Biography & Statement
I was born and raised in Arizona. After earning a Master’s Degree in Piano and Composition in 1974, I continued studies in music composition with the legendary Nadia Boulanger at the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau, France. Deciding not to pursue doctoral studies, I moved to San Francisco in 1979, taking on a variety of jobs.
A self-taught artist, I have, since my early teens, explored a wide variety of art media as well as oil painting, including hand weaving, tapestry design, woodcut, calligraphy and egg tempera, to cite just a few. For more than twenty years, I worked as a tattoo artist. I was one of 80 tattoo artists whose work was included in the 1995 New York exhibition “Pierced Hearts and True Love: A Century of Drawings for Tattoos”, curated by Don Ed Hardy.
In 2005, I decided to focus on oil painting, to see where I could go with it.
…
The human form, and human introspection, are things that consistently intrigue me. The human form is endless in its variety and range of expression. The inward, introspective view is compelling because it is a reflection of the soul. Most of my figures are solitary. Ultimately, we are alone, and it is only in solitude that we can discover our personal niche in the universe.
Initially, I painted objects. Now I try to paint ideas. Three things that influence me are:
1. Religion, even though I’m technically not religious. Maybe spirituality is a better word.
2. Symbolism, often in the form of Jungian archetypes.
3. Simple astonishment that anything exists at all.
From my grandfather, I learned to value ideals of craftsmanship. Using a glass slab and muller, I make most of my own paints, frequently employing historic pigments not available from commercial paint manufacturers. I work slowly and carefully, layer upon layer. Because any work of art is only as good as the materials that go into making it, I’m equally attentive to the quality of the painting support, whether canvas or panel.
Representation & Exhibitions
Current Representation: I do not currently have gallery representation
2011
April 8 – June 8 : “Portraits From A Parallel Universe” One Man Show
Norman Lasiter Gallery, Palm Springs, CA
2008
February 1 – February 29 : “On The Edge” One Man Show
Mondo Gallery, Palm Springs, CA
2007
September 4 : Artist Preview, Viceroy Hotel, Modern Masters Gallery,
Palm Springs CA
March 21 – May 2 : “The Authentic Self: An Inner Dialogue” Group Show,
Hotel Triton, San Francisco
March 10 : Solo Exhibit (16 oil paintings)
Bernal Heights Art Salon #1, San Francisco
February 7 – March 21 : “Eye Candy” Group Show
Hotel Triton, San Francisco
January 30 – February 17 : “Skin Deep” Group Show,
ArtworkSF, San Francisco
2006
December 7 – 30 : ArtworkSF San Francisco : selected prints
October 7,8 2006 : San Francisco Open Studios : paintings
October 8,9 2005 : San Francisco Open Studios : paintings
1995
Multiple dates : New York, San Francisco Yerba Buena Center,
“Pierced Hearts and True Love, A Century of Drawings for Tattoos”
Before 1995
Fall 1988 : Watering Hole, San Francisco : acrylic paintings
Fall 1985 : Ambush, San Francisco : drawings and egg tempera paintings
Spring 1985 : Ambush, San Francisco : drawings
Spring 1984 : Ambush, San Francisco : drawings, calligraphy