Statement & Bio
My primary artistic focus is on the contemporary urban landscape, in particular, the rich textures of things weathered and worn, run down, imprinted by time and human occupation. Although people may not appear in my paintings, they have clearly inhabited the spaces. I’m also interested in the industrial places we have created around ourselves, their formidable structures designed to serve, yet often seeming to draw us into their own service. In other cases, it is the small-scale human intimacy of a beckoning doorway, side street, or hidden courtyard that captures my attention: an empty chair can suggest a hundred stories.My paintings also investigate the balance of power between nature and the city. Power lines and industrial sites are materializations of power, and can be symbolic of our role as co-creators of our environments. What emerges manifests our current state of soul, yet overlays an older, more primeval elemental consciousness. The natural elements are constant reminders of what is beyond our control or even awareness.
I categorize myself as a contemporary realist, and work in acrylic.
Background
I have been drawing and painting since childhood. After studying Fine Arts at the University of Alberta, I spent several years as an illustrator for Graphic Design Limited (GDL), Edmonton, creating illustrations for magazines, books, and educational materials, after which I ran my own business, Astrovisuals, specializing in new age and astrological art. After turning from illustration to painting I moved to Vancouver BC in order to have more access to the urban environment which inspires me. My current paintings focus mainly on the urban landscape and our relationship to it.
Education
I attended the University of Alberta, where I took Fine Arts, majoring in painting, and have continued to update myself with workshops and courses.
Solo Exhibitions
2009 “Doors, Walls and Windows,” The Old Schoolhouse Gallery, Qualicum Beach BC
2009: “Bricks & Boards,” The Flower Factory, Vancouver BC
2008: “Back Street Bebop,” Squamish Library Foyer Gallery, Squamish BC
2008: “Balance of Power”, 3 -person show, Gallery Gachet, Vancouver BC
2008: “Around the Back.” Solo, Gibson’s Public Art Gallery, Gibsons BC.
2007: “Re: Connection.” Two-person show with fabric artist Judy Villett; Vancouver East Cultural Centre,
2007: “City Blocks,” Britannia Art Centre, Vancouver BC
2004: “Urban Landscapes”, Central Blends Café, Calgary, AB
1999: “Urban Graphics”, Discovery Station, Victoria, BC
1999: Mokka House, Victoria, BC
1993: Electrum Design, Edmonton, AB
Group Exhibitions
May 2008: Mayworks, Parksville
May 2007: Uncommon Origins, Vancouver
May 2007: Mayworks, Parksville BC
November 2007: East End Culture Crawl, ARC, Vancouver
February, March & April 2006: Riverview Group shows, Calgary
October 2005: “Colours from the Light,” Artspace, Calgary
October 2005: Riverview Group, Trans-Canada Bldg, Calgary
May 2005: “Art Fusion,” Gainsborough Gallery, Calgary
August 2004: “Painting on the Edge”, FCA Gallery, Vancouver.
June 2004: “Wooden Quilt Exhibition”, Leighton Centre, Calgary
May 2004: “Small Paintings Exhibition”, Gallery 321, Nanaimo
Dec. 2002 - Oct. 2005: All FCA Calgary Chapter shows, 3 per year
August 2003: “Painting on the Edge”, FCA Gallery, Vancouver
July 1995: United Astrologers’ Congress, Monterrey, CA
Affiliations
Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA)
Artist Talks
“Creative Process” Gibsons’ Public Art Gallery
“Finding Trajectory” Britannia Gallery
“Lord of the Rings and Other Things:” Children’s Writing Workshop, Calgary.