I think of my painting practice as an act of faith. Brush in hand, I lean into the blank paper, or panel — and listen. In the space between fear and joy, the painting emerges—color, texture, shape, image, wax, ink, oil—eventually, a story is revealed—rare and ready—claiming a life of its own.

I paint with an intuitive embrace of the limitless possibilities that exist in the interplay of paint, wax, paper, form, color, texture, and emotion. Through dynamic brushstrokes, fluid gestures, and the harmonious fusion of contrasting and disruptive elements I create a vibrant topography that comments on, reflects upon, and reacts to this amazing “thing” we call the human experience.

That’s great. But, who the heck am I anyway?

Here’s my artist CV

I’ve spent my life searching for a home for my creative spirit. I’ve worked professionally as an actor, I’ve made a living as a writer, and I became a glass blower. I guess you could say I’ve been an “emerging” artist for most of my life. Not anymore. I am a painter. Full stop. End of story.

Training

2008-2011 Pacific Northwest College of Art, Encaustic coursework with Jef Gunn

Workshops:

  • Timothy McDowell – Encaustic

  • Lisa Pressman – Encaustic & Oil and Cold Wax

  • Mark Rediske  – Encaustic

  • Margot Voorhies Thompson – Collage

  • Patricia Seggebrook – Encaustic

  • Nicholas Wilton – Encaustic/Acrylic

  • Andrea Schwartz-Feit – Encaustic

  • Serena Barton – Oil & Cold Wax

Exhibitions, Galleries & More

2024

Gallery 114 Group Exhibit “Beneath the Surface”

Lakewood Center for the Arts “My Happy Place — The Small Works Show”

Lake Oswego Art in the Park

Corvallis Fall Festival

Portland Open Studios

Just Bob

Astonish Magazine Group Show

Creative Spirits Gallery

Gallerium Online Gallery Group Exhibit “Elysium”

2023

Local 14 Art Show

Lake Oswego, Art in the Park

Included in House & Garden’s “Art Edit”

2022

Las Laguna Art Gallery, Los Angeles

Portland Open Studios

2014

Second Annual Encaustic Exhibit, Pacific Northwest College of Art

2005-2010

Glassblowing / Mountain Shadows Glass

I apprenticed in glass blowing with master glass artist, Molly Barnes, in 2002. Mountain Shadows Glass launched in 2005. As much as I loved the heat and rhythms in glass blowing I realized that this equipment-intensive art that often relied on assistants and immense amounts of natural gas was not for me in the long term. I turned to encaustic painting which I could do, solo, in my garage, and still work with fire, albeit from a propane torch.

·       Summer Festival, Bend, Or

·       NW Art & Air Festival, Albany, Or

·       Fall Festival, Corvallis, OR

·       Oregon Country Fair

·       Saturday Market, Portland, Or

·       Farmer’s Market, Beaverton, Or

·       A Framer’s Touch: Framing Studio and Art Gallery, Forest Grove, OR

·       Azure Fine Art Gallery, Corvallis, OR

·       Backyard Bird Shop