PERSONAL STATEMENT
I primarily create art related to, or inspired by, the human figure. This has expanded to also include topics having to do with the human condition, society, etc. I enjoy experimenting in various mediums in an attempt to best communicate the message or emotion intended. I have been influenced by such masters as Rodin, Michelangelo and Giacometti, as well as various other artists including photographers and painters. Most recently the social commentary painters from the 1600’s and 1700’s have had a significant impact on my ideas for projects, as have readings on expressionism and cognitivism. I am also curious to investigate the question of how important is the aesthetic component of art in engaging the viewer since aesthetics and design seem to be lost in much of the contemporary 3-D art being shown in places like the Whitney Biennial 2010.
SHOWS
The Community Portrait Project’s “Where Are We Going?” segment – tbd Loft, Bend, OR; October-December, 2010; this site-specific installation titled “TIME’S UP!” consists of an existing glass wall, sandals, glue, clay powder, and hair spray, and was designed to remind viewers how temporary life can be.
COCC Art Faculty Show – Pence Gallery, Central Oregon Community College; September-October, 2010; although not a part of the art faculty at COCC my work from over the Summer of 2010 caught the eye of one of the lead faculty in the Art Department resulting in an invitation to show “The Speed of Life” – bronze sculpture, “Community ” – steel sculpture, and “Picasso Dreaming of Women” – pastel and charcoal drawing. It is uncommon for a non-art faculty to be invited into the show so this was a real honor!
The Community Portrait Project’s “Where Do We Come From?” segment – tbd Loft, Bend, OR; July, 2010; this installation, titled “Is Your Brain on Trash?” consisted of an LCD projector and laptop computer, text written by the artist, a 3 ft. X 9 ft. spray painted title banner, and a sculpture of a brain constructed out of trash bags, recycled newsprint, re-used styrofoam, biodegradable packing peanuts, recycled packing pillows, balloons, magazine adds, various pieces of garbage (e.g. McDonalds wrappers), clear packing tape, fishing line, plastic and bamboo garden stakes that measured 9.5 ft long X 7.5 ft wide X 6 ft high. This installation was very well received and lead an invitation to join the newly forming board of directors for the Poet House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop artists as a way to enhance the community, as well as being asked to be a member of the tbd Loft Advisory Committee on Community Art.
Quotes from the curator, Paul Evers, prior to the installation as we worked through the details of the project included:
-“I am in love with your concept. It’s brilliant! It’s surprising and provocative. And so
incredibly relevant.”
-“I love the concept of the brain and how it represents the meaningless clutter that
collects in our psyche.”
And after the opening:
“I hope you’re still basking in the exhilarating feeling of accomplishment in the success of your first art installation! I’m thrilled to have it a part of the Community Portrait project. Primarily because it’s SO provocative. And so quick to relate to. It has sparked a tremendous amount of conversation, and as a result, mounds of self-awareness. THANK YOU.”
Au Naturale – Hosted by Atelier 6000, Bend, OR, this show included roughly 20 artists from the Central Oregon Community College Figure Drawing group made up of professional artists, amateurs and students and was focused on the human figure. “Torso in Tuff” (sculpture –carved stone) was chosen as the entryway piece to welcome visitors into the show; “Falling Man” and “The Philosopher” were also accepted for sculpture; and “Portrait of a Proud Woman”, “Trapped”, and “Study – Female Torso” were accepted for drawing; June 2010.
COCC Invitational Student Art Show 2010 – Asked by instructors to show three works created for classes during the 2009-2010 year; two were figurative drawings and one was a line and plane 3-D design titled “Butterfly Effect”; May 2010.
The Human Figure: Paintings, Drawings, and Sculptures, Art Walk, March-April 2010, Bend, OR; showed “Another Day Spent Discussing the Meaning of Progress” and “The Moran, Warriors of the Earth” – Sculptures in Papier Mache, Wood, Wire and Acrylic Paint.
Organized and curated An Emotional Response to Eight Days in the Wilderness, the first art show held in the new Campus Center, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, OR, January-February 2010
-This show was of student work from the Outdoor Leadership Fall Block which included an 8-day backcountry expedition. After the trip the students were asked to think of the one emotion that best captured the experience for them. They were then asked to create an art piece that was inspired by that emotion and to write a reflection paper describing their art creation and connecting it to the backcountry trip.
Broken; juried show at Sixth Street Gallery, Vancouver, WA; “Another Day Spent Discussing the Meaning of Progress” was accepted – Sculpture in Papier Mache, Wood, Wire and Acrylic Paint; April, 2009
The Artful Beauty of Science; juried show at the Central Oregon Community College Barber Library, Bend, OR; accepted pieces included: “Painted Rocks” – Photography (Seven macro images of rocks); September, 2009
Central Oregon Community College Juried Student Art Show; “Toxic-ness of Despair” – Large scale ceramic sculpture; First Place for Sculpture Division, Runner-up for Best of Show; May 2008.
Open art show at the 123 Up Gallery, Bend, OR; “Another Day Spent Discussing the Meaning of Progress” and “The Moran, Warriors of the Earth” – Sculptures in Papier Mache, Wood, Wire and Acrylic Paint; February, 2008.
COMMISIONS
“Falling Man” – a commission for a private collector in Oregon; the collector wanted a piece showing strength and tension in a classical styled male figure; the piece evolved into “Falling Man”, which shows both the strength and tension, but also the fragility of man; cast in plaster; completed Spring 2010.
“Warm Summer Rain” – a commission for a private collector in Idaho; this piece was to show the passion for being outdoors in all seasons, and in (most!) all weather conditions. It was done in fired clay and coated in an all-weather plaster patch compound to weather-proof it. The piece stands approximately 40 inches tall. Completed Spring 2008.
COLLECTIONS
Common Table Restaurant, Bend, OR
CEO of Bend Memorial Clinic, Bend, OR
CEO of Central Oregon Council on Aging, Bend, OR
Private collector, Sandpoint, ID
Private collector, Bend, OR
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Board of Directors (Charter Member), Poet House
tbd Loft, Art Advisory Committee
Art Acquisitions Committee, Central Oregon Community College
RECENTLY VISITED ART MUSEUMS
Brooklyn Art Museum; March 2010
Whitney Biennial 2010; March 2010
Portland Art Museum; December 2009
Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston ; August 2009
Maryhill Museum of Art; June 2009
Museum of New Zealand; March 2009
National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts; December 2008
Taipei Fine Arts Museum; December 2008
Hualien Stone Sculpture Museum / Taiwan; December 2008
Museum of Modern Art / New York; December 2008
Metropolitan Museum of Art; December 2008
Rodin Museum / Philadelphia; December 2008
Hirschhorn Museum; December 2008
EDUCATION
Oregon State University Cascades Campus – Bend, OR; Fall 2010
- ART 334 Drawing III: Figure
Central Oregon Community College – Bend, OR; Winter 2007 – Spring 2010
- ART 117 Basic Design: 3-D
- ART 132 Drawing II
- ART 190 Figurative Clay Sculpture (repeated twice and was assistant once)
- ART 234 Figure Drawing I
- Community Learning Figurative Drawing class (repeated multiple terms)
- ART 299 Print Making
- ARH 203 Art History
• Northern Michigan University—Marquette, Michigan
College of Behavioral Sciences, Human Services and Education
- Master of Science Degree in Exercise Science; April,1995
Cumulative Grade Point Average: 4.0/4.0 index
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport Science; April 1993
Minor in Human Biology
Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.87/4.0 index
• Central Oregon Community College—Bend, Oregon
Completed prerequisites (90 credits) in Exercise Science; September 1989 to June 1991
ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK and SELF-STUDY
Bronze foundry workshop with Peter Small Artware, Sisters, OR; June, 2010
- Gained exposure to all aspects of the foundry process
Self-study of art history (1400-present), art criticism (modern) and aesthetics / design (modern)
EMPLOYMENT
Department of Health and Human Performance, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, Oregon
Professor, Outdoor Leadership Program Coordinator August 1999-present
-Teach Outdoor Recreation Leadership, Outdoor Living Skills, Wilderness Advanced First Aid,
Beginning and Intermediate Rock Climbing, Introduction to Guiding Rock Climbing, Orienteering,
Mountaineering I, and Fit/First Aid.
-Co-developed the Outdoor Leadership Fall Block, a five-class cohort experience with an
integrated curriculum, an 8-day wilderness experience, and art project as a reflection and
processing tool, and a final synthesis project.
-Gained Wilderness Education Association accreditation for the Recreation Leadership degree
and the Outdoor Recreation courses.
Adjunct instructor, September 1998-June 1999
-Taught Outdoor Recreation Leadership, Outdoor Living Skills, Wilderness Advanced First Aid, Beginning and Intermediate Rock Climbing, and Introduction to Guiding Rock Climbing.
-Orchestrated a transfer agreement with the University of Idaho for students graduating from
COCC with an A.S. degree in Recreation Leadership.
-Preliminary work with OSU and the University Center toward a 4-year Recreation degree program to be offered in Central Oregon by COCC and OSU.
Recreation Leadership program development, April 1997-May 1999
-Developed new curriculum for a new degree program in Recreation Leadership; this includes an Associate of Arts transfer degree and an Associate of Science transfer degree backed by a transfer agreement with the University of Idaho HPERD Dept. for articulation into their 4-year degree program.
Part-time instructor, September 1996-June 1998
-Taught Fit/First Aid, Advanced First Aid, Health and Fitness for Life, Beginning Rock Climbing, Ski Conditioning, and Circuit Training.
First Ascent Climbing School and Guide Service—Redmond, Oregon
Guides’ manager, April 1998-October 1998
-head instructor for Guiding Rock Climbing workshop (3 days), June 1998.
-assist in the hiring of guides; conduct guide training sessions; liaison between the guides and the company owners.
Camp director, June 1998-October 1998
-plan and lead daily activities for teen climbing camps; plan and cook meals; scheduling of assistant guides.
Rock climbing instructor/Guide, April 1996-August 2000.
