My work and ideas have evolved over the years from a confluence of traditions such as primitive folk art, expressionism, and abstract modernism, which is expressed in my colorful and eclectic paintings. The art process I use includes laying down various mixed media, especially cut out cotton rag paper and other found objects, on a stretched artist canvas or wood substrate. Next, I paint and draw with oil pastels, graphite, and charcoal. I then add and remove layers for a layered and dimensional aged look.

After I start with a general idea which is usually based on my day-to-day life, such as walking my dog next to the Columbia River, where we might see a wide assortment of wildlife such as herons, eagles, hawks, snakes, and frogs juxtaposed with an urban landscape including tankers, container ships, and the trojan horses moving goods in and out of the city. Then I work in a free and associative way based on things that suggest themselves as I work. It is an intuitive and abstract process.

STUDIO VIDEO