Artist Statement

I am a Colorado native with a long-term interest in several mediums spanning  both painting and sculpture.  I paint in watercolor, pastel, oil, acrylic and gouache, often combining two or more of these in a  given painting.  Since becoming a professional artist in 1998 I have exhibited in more than one hundred juried shows and have received more than thirty awards in local, state, national and international exhibits.

I enjoy painting a wide variety of subject matter – portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, automobiles, and various artifacts. I would soon become bored with painting similar subjects, though I often like to return to a specific subject several months or years later and try a variation on my initial concept or approach. My style has evolved towards stronger colors and contrasts – often to the point of noticeable exaggeration.

Though I am inspired by a wide range of subjects, each subject must have the potential for: a design statement (more important to me than telling a story); strong and diverse colors and values; and a variety of painting techniques. Perhaps most importantly, I want a subject that will challenge me in some new way, will contribute to my knowledge of the art and craft of painting, and will allow me ample opportunity to express my own interpretation or translation of the subject.

I also enjoy sculpture, working with clay, wood, paper mache, and mixed media to sculpt a variety of subjects.  I have recently completed three sculptures with my wife, Leah, a mosaic artist;  I make  the sculptures and she does the mosaic work.

Selected Recent Juried Exhibitions (Since 2008)

Governor’s Art Show, Loveland, CO: 2023, 2022

• Oil Painters of America (OPA) Western Regional Exhibition: 2023 (Salt Lake City, UT) and 2020 (virtual/online)

• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS):  2022 and 2021 Online Exhibits

• National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) “Best of America” Small Works National Juried Exhibition: 2023 (Boulder, CO) and 2022 (Birmingham, AL)

• Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013

• Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Annual Exhibition: 2017 (Eugene, OR); 2016 (Denver, CO), 2013 (Irving, TX), 2009 (San Diego, CA)

• America’s Parks II, Touring Exhibition including Bolivar, MO, Parker, CO, and Tucson, AZ: 2014

• Taos National Exhibition of American Watercolor, Taos, NM:  2008

• Colorado Watercolor Society State Watermedia Exhibition, Denver, CO: 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008

• Colorado Art Open, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO: 2009 (for sculpture)

• North American Sculpture Exhibit, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO:  2010

• Annual All Colorado Depot Art Show, Depot Art Center and Gallery, Littleton, CO: 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008

• City of Lone Tree Art Exhibition, Lone Tree, CO: 2018, 2016, 2014, 2011, 2009, 2008

• Lines Into Shapes Art Exhibition, Art Center of Estes Park, Estes Park, CO: 2010 and 2008

• Pikes Peak International Watermedia, Colorado Springs, CO: 2013

• Oil Painters of America Juried Salon Show, Petosky, MI: 2013

Selected Recent Awards (since 2008)

• Best of Show, All Colorado Juried Art Exhibit, Littleton, CO: 2008

• 2nd Place, All Colorado Art Show, Depot Arts Center, Littleton, CO:  2012

• Merit Award, Louisville Art Association 25th Annual National Juried Fine Art Show, Louisville, CO:  2010

• Merit Award, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS):  2021 Members Only Online Exhibition

• Honorable Mention, Colorado Watercolor Society New Trends Exhibit, Madden Museum, Centennial, CO:  2012

• Honorable Mention, Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO:  2015

• Honorable Mention, 42nd Annual Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Annual Exhibit, Jordon Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, OR:  2017

Collections

• Limited edition and open edition prints and event posters are in numerous collections throughout the country

• Commissioned portraits, landscapes, and architectural renderings are in numerous collections throughout Colorado

• Other works are in numerous collections

Signature Memberships

• Colorado Watercolor Society (CWS)

• Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS; Master Signature Member)

• Rocky Mountain National Watermedia (RMNW)

Publications

•  AcrylicWorks 6:  Creative Energy, published by North Light Books in May 2019

•  AcrylicWorks 5:  Bold Values, published by North Light Books in May 2018

•  AcrylicWorks 4: Captivating Color, published by North Light Books, 2017

•  AcrylicWorks: The Best of Acrylic Painting, published by North Light Books, 2014

Splash 14:  Light and Color, published by North Light Books, 2013