Artist Statement

In my work I usually depict modest people, often blue-collar workers, hearkening back to my upbringing.  I paint them in a manner that attempts to elevate them.  The Bible, Classical mythology, literature, Renaissance references, art history, personal experiences and even poetry are the stuff that informs the work, with a splash of humor and irony on occasion. 

My current body of work is made up of construction types and ordinary people.  It is a blend of art history references, and remembered life situations, presented in a manner that is open-ended or ambiguous.  The paintings are oil on plywood, emphasizing a modest, rough-carpentry theme.  The works are not so much about construction workers, but rather, the workers are a metaphor, hearkening back to the Ashcan artists or other social realist painters who painted gritty works of rough and tumble city life, and the common folk. 

Another subject that interests me are ballet, flamenco and Mexican dancers.  These pictures are made in appreciation of the discipline and athleticism of dance using the opportunity to depict “working class” female figures as protagonists.  At least one of these characters has made her way into this body of work because I see these dancers and musicians as workers too.

I greatly admire the application of paint, and compositions in the work of such diverse artists as: Jean-François Millet, John Sargent, Joaquin Sorolla, George Bellows, Isabel Bishop, and Gely Korzhev, as well as contemporary painters, Steve Huston, Eve Mansdorf, and Warren Chang.

Curriculum Vitae:

Education:

Azusa Pacific University, Master of Fine Art,  July 2013

Ignat Ignatov, Fine art workshop, Jun/Jul 2008

Steve Huston, Fine art workshops, Jan.1999- May- 2005

Joseph Mendez, Fine art workshops, Aug ‘04- June 2005

John Budicin, Fine art workshop, June 2004

Dan McCaw, Fine art workshop, April 2004

Art Center, College of Design, Pasadena, CA, Major: Illustration, Feb 1982 –May 1983

St. Mary’s College of California, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, May 1980

Work Experience:

March 2011 – present, Painting Instructor: Michael’s Stores, Mira Loma and Rancho Cucamonga

April 2009 – Dec. 2009, Art Instructor:  Art Institute of CA, Inland Empire; FS101, Fundamentals of Observational Drawing, FS102, Fundamentals of Design

May 2007 - present, Art Instructor, City of Fontana, CA; Teach basic drawing skills to children and adults in 2 separate classes run by the City of Fontana

May 2006 - June 2009, Figure drawing classes at Chaffey Community Art Association; teach anatomy, gesture, lighting, form and composition to professionals and amateurs

June 2005 - June ‘08 Vice Pres., Exhibit Chairman, Chaffey Community Art Association; I was responsible for curating, planning, organizing, and hanging various exhibits at the museum.

April 2002 – present; Fine artist; responsible for all aspects of producing, promoting and selling my paintings and drawings for a living.

May 1988 - July‘04 Carpenter, Home Improvement Contractor; all aspects of running a small remodeling business including bidding, building, hiring, running jobs, and managing finances.

Anaheim Publishing Company, June 1984-Aug. 1985; produce all mechanical artwork and illustrations for books published in my department.

May 1983 - Nov’88 Freelance illustrator & graphic artist for various clients; responsibilities included showing portfolio, executing jobs to clients’ specs and meeting deadlines.

Exhibits:

Timmons Galleries, Group Exhibit, April 2007

Chaffey Community Art Association, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, solo exhibit Sept. 2006

Sullivan Goss, An American Gallery, “Scenes of American Labor” Sept. 2005

Timmons Galleries, Solana Beach, CA, solo exhibit, Aug. 2005

dA Gallery, Pomona, CA  solo exhibit,  Sept. 2003

St. Mary’s College of CA, Hearst Art Gallery, Sept. 1985

Memberships:

California Art Club

Oil Painters of America

Allied Artists of America

Chaffey Community Art Association

Associated Artists of the Inland Empire

National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society

Juried Shows and Awards:

Associated Artists of the Inland Empire CA, 22nd Annual Art Show, First Place, Sept. 2007

American Academy of Equine Art Fall Exhibition and Sale, Lexington, KY, Nov. 2006

National Orange Show Juried Art Exhibition, San Bernardino, CA, June 2006

Hilton Head Art League National Juried Art Exhibition, Hilton Head, SC, May 2006

National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society “Best of America” Award of Excellence, Nov. 2005

Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA Jan. 2005

The Allied Artists of America 91st Annual Exhibition, New York, NY Nov. 2004

National Society of Artists 22nd National Show, League City, TX June 2004

Fine Arts Institute, San Bernardino Valley College Gallery Show, CA Oct. 2004, Best of Show

Fine Arts Institute, San Bernardino County Museum of Art, CA May. 2004, First Place

Millard Sheets Gallery, CA Sept. 2004

Private Collections:

Chaffey Community Art Association, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

International Arts Academy Dance Studio

Mr & Mrs Charles Chute, Sparta, N.J.

Capt. John Cole U.S. Navy, Sparta, N.J.

Mr. Sam Maloof, Alta Loma, CA

Mrs. Kathy Lawitz, Las Cruces, NM

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Boal, Beaumont, CA

Mrs. Eileen Russell, Irvine, CA

Mr. Brian Linney, Snohomish, WA

Commissions:

Capt. John Cole, USN

Brian Linney

Mr. & Mrs. Burciaga