The Art Blog

Tranquility 2008 - Encaustic with mixed media - 30" x 60" I just finished up another large commission piece and wanted to share it. This one is 30" x 60" and is titled Tranquility after what I felt when I first looked into the final painting – see image above. The experience of creating this was so different from past commissions – I often get hung up on the final expectations and that interferes with my creative process. With this one I just allowed myself to flow with the work and I really enjoyed it. The client is happy with the result so I hope my next commission goes this well. I am consciously trying to loosen up and free myself of any preconceptions while painting. I feel I am making progress here but the process of letting go of expectations goes to the core of my artistic journey. I have some new panels started in the studio and the work I am doing right now seems to be focusing on balance. What’s emerging are works that are high in contrast using a lot of...

Main gallery wall featuring "Evolution" encaustic on 9 panels 72"x 72" Gallery west wall view. Artist, Mike Stilkey , creates an installation for the show. My beautiful sister, Mary, on the left and me on the right. Gallery assistant director, Rain e Kidder, greets early arrivals. Early arrivals opening night. We finished the evening with a celebratory feast in the gallery. I am back in the studio after an amazing trip over to Sun Valley, Idaho, for my recent opening at the Gilman Contemporary . It was an incredible night and the gallery staff was so gracious and accommodating. Thank you L'Anne, Casey and Raine for your hospitality. The turn out was incredible and thanks to those of you who ventured out for the evening to join us. It was the perfect way to bring the summer to a close. I was very inspired by the direction of this new work and I already have a second series of new paintings started in the studio. I will post images of new work when it's c...

Here are a few more images of new work created for my show in Sun Valley. I will be at the opening night reception on Friday, August 29th from 5 to 9 so please come by if you are in the area.

"Evolution" Encaustic on 9 panels. Total Dimensions: 72"x72" I am here in Sun Valley, Idaho for my opening at the Gilman Contemporary on August 29th. I will post additional images and comments when I return to Seattle. Happy Labor Day!

Tidal Rhythms 2008 - encaustic w/mixed media 20" x 24" Tidal Rhythms detail I wanted to share these images from a new painting called Tidal Rhythms . This piece was inspired by a walk along my neighborhood pier. As I looked down into the water I saw these beautiful kelp heads floating gracefully near the surface and the sunlight was penetrating and surrounding them with this ethereal glow. I knew immiedatly that I had to paint this experince. I tried to recreate the feeling of that moment based on memory. When I look at this painting now I am reminded of that walk and the beautiful light of that summer day. I will be showing this painting along with other recent pieces in August at the Pacini Lubel Gallery in Seattle. Next week I will start posting some preview photos for my upcoming show at the Gilman Contemporary in Sun Valley, Idaho.

summer painting class with Mark Miller Detail from pod painting Detail from flower painting Detail from abstract floral Pods - 2008 36" x 40" -mixed media on canvas Abstracted Flower 2008 - 32" x 32" mixed media on canvas Summer painting class - work in progress 1 Summer painting class - work in progress 2 Here are a few photos from the experimental painting class I've been "playing" in this summer. The class is lead by Seattle painter, Mark Takamichi Miller, check out his art at whitelead.com . We are working in his studio that's housed in a funky old Boeing warehouse in Seattle. I can just imagine the place filled with Rosie's riveting planes during the WWII era. It's a great space to work in and the class has been creatively freeing for me as a painter. Just river's of paint with no rules to follow and really fun. I'll be in this class for another 4 weeks so I hope to have more images to post soon.

I am in the studio every day now working towards my next show in Sun Valley, Idaho. I’ ve been creating large encaustic panels that are really luscious with tons of wax - I will post a few highlights from this body of work when it’s complete. The show runs August 28 to Sept.30 at the Gilman Contemporary . In the mean time, I have a new painting up at the Pacini Lubel Gallery in Seattle along with several older works. The Piece is called Boundaries (see image at left) and now that it's out of my studio I miss it. Pacini Lubel Gallery is having a group show opening August 7 th and I should have some additional new work included in that. For a bit of playful distraction I have been taking an experimental painting class once a week in an old Boeing warehouse in Seattle– It’s been really fun, chaotic and messy and has allowed me to stretch as an artist. I will post a few images and more details from the class next week.