Artist Statement

Statement

I am an Arkansan currently dealing with a relocation to Denver, Colorado.  This move has caused me to drastically rethink my art.  It has brought me close even to abandoning painting.  But I am adapting, changing, possibly even evolving.  I now try to work even more instinctive and minimalistic, moving toward more knife dominant work, casting aside a long-standing fear of working with them.  I like to think of the act of creation being one of abandoning the higher self, allowing the art to spring forth in and of itself, a manifestation of the inner, emotional self only. 

In a similar vein, my titles are reflections of an inner state but may not tie neatly to the subject matter or even spring form the same source as the actual piece.  They are instead fragments of thoughts, song lyrics, or other sources which have connected with some emotional state.


I have a wide array of influences. Among them are Jean Francois Millet, Frederic Remington, Edward Seago, Robert Henri, Winslow Homer and most especially the Russian Impressionist Isaac Levitan. Closer to home, I admire the work of fellow Arkansan Bill Garrison and the late Louis Freund.  Other contemporary influences include Simon Addyman, William Wray, Tibor Nagy, and Stapleton Kearns.  

Bio

I am a native Arkansan with deep roots in Newton and Searcy Counties. I spent many hours of my formative years drawing and roaming on our 200 acre cattle farm and adjacent neighbors' land in Boone and Marion Counties.  I indulged a love of art and a desire to learn to paint as a very young teen by taking my only lessons in Harrison, AR.  Aside from these lessons and the odd workshop now and then, I am self taught.  After receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas, I moved my young family to the suburbs of Washington D.C. to pursue a career with NASA.  I have designed, built, and operated systems in orbit around Earth and on the surface of Mars.  I currently reside in Maumelle, Arkansas.


Exhibitions

2017
·         SAAC Juried Art Competition
July, South Arkansas Arts Center, El Dorado, AR
·         Art at the Center Juried Show
May-June, Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, Overland Park, Kansas
·         During Wind and Rain
Poster art for musical performance

2016
·         Richeson Small Works, Meritorious Entries (2)

2015
·         Arkansas League of Artists Annual Juried Show
September-October, Cantrell Gallery, Little Rock, AR
·         The Quiet Hours, Solo Show
May-June, Cantrell Gallery, Little Rock
·         Arkansas League or Artists Members Show
May, Argenta Art Gallery, North Little Rock
·         Plein Air Painters Show
April-June, Christ Epscopal Church, Little Rock

2014
·         Painting Arkansas-Finale, Solo Show
May-June, Cantrell Gallery, Little Rock
·         White River Plein Air
May, Cotter, AR (First Timers Award)

2013
·         Diamond National Show
December-January, Hot Springs Fine Arts Center, Hot Springs, AR
·         Arkansas League of Artists Winners Show
December, Patrick Hays Center, North Little Rock, AR
·         Bike Art Show
December-February, The Dairy Center for the Arts, Boulder, CO
·         Arkansas League of Artists Annual Juried Show (3rd Place, Animals/Wildlife)
September-October, Cantrell Gallery, Little Rock, AR
·         65th River Valley Invitational
July, Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
Jurors: Tammy Harrington, Ann Prentice Wagner, Manuela Well-Off-Man
·         Painting Arkansas, Solo Show
July-August, Cantrell Gallery, Little Rock, AR
·         Arkansas League Of Artists Signature Members Show
July-August, Cox Creative Center, Little Rock, AR
·         Hot Springs Fine Arts Center Spring Regional (Honorable Mention)
March, Hot Springs Fine Arts Center, Hot Springs, AR

2012
·         Realism Without Borders, Group Show
December, LEE Gallery, Boise, ID
·         Painting Arkansas, Solo Show
October, Van Buren Center for Art and Education
·         Arkansas League of Artists Juried Exhibition
October, Butler Center, Little Rock, AR (First Place, Landscape)
·         Arkansas League of Artists Spring Members Show
May, Terry House, Little Rock, AR (Third Place, Landscape)
  • Hot Springs Fine Arts Center Regional
March, Hot Springs Fine Arts Center

2011
·         Arkansas League of Artists Winners Show
December, THEA Foundation, North Little Rock, AR
·         Diamond National Exhibition (Ralph Michaelis Memorial Award)
September, Hot Springs Fine Arts Center
·         Arkansas League of Artists Annual Juried Show
September and October, Cantrell Gallery, Little Rock
·         Harrison Art League Spring Show (3rd Place Oil)
May, Oak Leaf Gallery
·         Arkansas League of Artists Members Show
May, Terry House, Little Rock, Arkansas
·         Regional Show (Merit Award)
April, Hot Springs Fine Arts Center

2010:
·         Village at Hendrix Designer House
September-October
·         Diamond National Exhibition
August, Hot Springs Fine Arts Center
·         Harrison Art League Spring Show (Honorable Mention)
May, Oak Leaf Gallery

2009
·          “Starry Night”
October, Hot Springs Fine Arts Center
·         “Celebration of the Tulip”
April, ClayTime Studios, North Little Rock
·         “Featured Artist”
April & May, Arkansas State Treasurer’s Office


Professional Memberships
Oil Painters of America
Arkansas League of Artists - Signature Member
Outdoor Painters Society


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