Living in Arizona I can’t help but be overwhelmed with the sense of scale and space.
Photographed by Elaine Kessler
I live and paint in my studio, in the heart of the vibrant Scottsdale Quarter where its urban ethos is juxtaposed against an expansive view of the Eastern sky. Every day I see the changing colors of the McDowell mountains that mark the horizon - the structure of the mountains never alters but the light, color and perspective is constantly changing. This tension between the rush of energy yet expansive calm is ever present in my artwork. I love to create abstract designs, but they are always grounded and inspired by this balance of natural and urban landscapes.
MY PROCESS
My painting is physical and messy. I paint like a sculptor, moving, adding, and scraping paint around the canvas. I find that technique results in striking contours made of heavy, opaque color and texture against thin, filmy transparency. When I paint, I often think of looking down at my toes in clear ocean water and the layers of light and shadows below me, and… those ripples of light. I also make many of my brushes for effect, using feathers, ropes, springs, wire, and other desert, beach, and urban findings. I’ve even discovered beautiful and rich earthy colors blending titanium white with red dirt from Sedona.
SHOW UP
it’s a bit like skinny dipping; thrilling and
vulnerably revealing at the same time
Exhibitions
2021
Phoenix Art Museum
Portland in the Park (Juried)
Contemporary Voices (Juried) 2021
FoundRE Contemporary Gallery Phoenix, AZ
2020
Spring Forward (Juried)
Artists in Arizona Phoenix, AZ
Art Meets Fashion (Selected Finalist of 7/400 artists)
See | Me and Mint & Rose New York & Barcelona
RAA&M National (Juried)
Rockport Art Association & Museum Rockport, MA
In Motion In Stillness (Solo)
Artists in Arizona, Virtual Walled Gallery (COVID)
Prior to 2020
See | Me Digital Photography Exhibition (Juried)
The Louvre, Paris, France
Urban Ethos Exhibition (Juried)
Olney Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
In Flow Solo Show
Harumi Yoga+ Community Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona
Desert to Sea Exhibition
Co-Show with renowned Irish artist Majella O’Neill Collins
Inchydoney Hotel, West Cork, Ireland
Gallery on First, Phoenix, Arizona
UN3 Gallery
Co-Exhibition with Local Ceramicist, Daphne Azzi
Phoenix, Arizona
GIVE BACK
Inner Mission – always give back to community humbly and gently.
Public Works
I was thrilled to be selected to participate in the Mayo Clinic Loaned Artwork Program Phoenix, Arizona 2019/2020. My art was displayed in the radiology department. It brought me such a good feeling to think that perhaps, even if for one patient, my artwork brought a sense of peace.
Residencies
As an Artist in Residence for Helios Renaissance Chorale, Phoenix, Arizona 2019 through 2020, my artwork had the great honor to grace the chorale’s concert covers.
Community Service
As part of service in the art community, I donate my art to one to two local art auctions benefiting several wonderful causes such as Free Arts Art from the Heart Auction an art based non-profit to benefit and encourage art in children from abusive environments. I also designed and taught a series of art sessions titled “Strength in Women,” from 2012-2013, for women housed in a Phoenix, Arizona based women’s shelter. I’ve served as a Chairman and Vice President of the Board of the Sonoran Arts League from 2011-2014.
WANT TO SEE MY ART IN STUDIO?
I would love to meet you!
Schedule a virtual or in-person Studio Visit.
