In these recent paintings constructed over the past year, I explored the ephemeral qualities of
various foods, foods meant for quick consumption. The challenge was to incorporate themes
of pop art and take these snacks of quick human consumption and turn them into a quiet
contemplative picture lasting longer than the objects themselves.
Observationally painting the still-life genre has always been a fascination of mine, it contains all
the many layers of autodidactic traditional painting. On the rudimentary, challenges include;
draftsmanship, color theory, texture, and most importantly the context and construction of the
image. The paintings evolve into artworks that meld collage, minimal presentations, and
concepts of habitat. My medium of choice has always been oil paint, I find the modeling
properties to be endless and timeless. The brushwork presentation, ranges from forced
illustrative techniques to loose impressionistic interpretation that results in a unique
representational style, balancing between realism and naturalism. I employ a limited palette
with modest color schemes to create a harmonious picture plane, capturing ranges of value
and bright infusions of color. After receiving a BFA in Fine Arts, I began working in fine art
bronze casting foundries before becoming a professional painter in the late 2000s. I have been
exhibiting in non-traditional and traditional galleries in the Pacific Northwest since then, with
numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the past decade. Featured work has graced
nationally recognized album covers and has been showcased in various publications.
As a long time resident of both Oregon and Northern Wisconsin, provincial influences make up
the core of my paintings. In addition, I gravitate towards and pull from historical painting
genres, such as Flemish Still Life, Post-War Pop Art, and Americana. All aspects of my
paintings are crafted by myself in my basement studio, from building canvases, acquiring
props, and building frames. When I am not engaged in my painting practice, ( “A painter should
be in the studio daily even if only for a few hours” ), time is spent enjoying many hobbies that
include; fishing, gardening, painting plein air, and birdwatching.