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About the Artist
Artist Statement:
I am drawn to watercolor because I can see light shine from within the
piece through the numerous translucent layers of the paint. Early in my professional career, I translated my
love of light, layers, and translucency to nonobjective art ... minimalism. Rather than adding elements,
I worked with subtraction, creating a line of light or a line of shadow by tearing into the paper or by
pulling out certain threads of the canvas. I added a minimum of pastel to my drawings and added layers of
naturally painted canvas behind the layer of pulled threads. The pieces, drawings and paintings, conveyed
a space beyond or into the surface, literal space not pictorial space. The paintings were generally quite
large and bold and were based on the vertical and horizontal lines and scale of the urban landscape.
The drawings contrasted dramatically to the paintings, as they were small in scale, centered and formal,
yet intimately drew the viewer into their quiet reminiscence of mountains, valleys, and meanders.
More than ten years ago, when I became falconer, my fascination for birds,
this case raptors, returned, as did my love for realism and portraiture. However, photo-realism holds no
interest for me. I prefer to paint my hawks as ephemeral, emerging from the paper, and about to take flight.
As I continue to explore the clean lines, light, and open spaces of minimalism, my hawk portrait paintings
have become smaller yet more detailed, more delicate, and more intimate, demanding the viewer to draw even
closer. Knowing most of my raptor subjects personally provides yet another layer of attitude, liveliness,
and depth. My style is powerful, and moody balancing the white space with the detail. Interestingly,
I have not strayed far from my original love, as my hawk paintings are actually very similar in concept to my
pure minimalist subtraction pieces, at the same time capturing the essence and personality of the hawks.
The Balzac/Caravaggio pieces evolved out of the Balzac Baby Faces to which I began to add
pastel so the faces would look more feathery. I had taken several photographs of two falcons, an Aleutian Peale's Peregrine
Falcon at about 31 days old and a young adult white Gyrfalcon, with a camera I had no idea of how to operate. Consequently,
I ended up with strikingly contrasting photographs of these two falcons. The way the light shown on just a part of the
falcon juxtaposed to the extreme dark areas reminded me of the powerful contrasts of light and dark in Caravaggio paintings.
As a minimalist I was intrigued with the visual power of these images and wanted to present only enough information without
compromising the visual integrity of the falcon, forcing the viewer's eye to complete the painting. The falcons appear to
emerge out of the shadow while being enveloped, protected and warmed by it. Where the light shown through many layers of
paint in my watercolors, as as these pieces are primarily pastel over watercolor, the light seems to emanate from the falcons,
allowing their distinct personalities to shine.
Education: BFA, Drake University, Des
Moines, IA
2006 Exhibitions Include:
LANDSCAPE IN THE POSTMODERN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION - BRAD COOPER GALLERY; Tampa, FL
NATURE'S INSPIRATION: WILDLIFE OF THE ROCKIES II - EVERGREEN ARTS CENTER; Evergreen, CO
ART OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM - BENNINGTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS; Bennington, VT
23RD ANNUAL ALL COLORDAO ART SHOW 2006 - Curtis Arts & Humanities Center; Greenwood Village, CO
15th NATIONAL EXHIBITION - NCAA - Lincoln Center; Fort Collins, CO
STRENGTH - KD MOORE GALLERY; Evergreen, CO
2005 Exhibitions Include:
POST CARDS FROM THE EDGE, VISUAL AIDS BENEFIT - Robert Miller Gallery; New York, NY
SOLO EXHIBIT - THE ART CENTER - Western Colorado Center for the Arts; Grand Junction, CO
NATURE'S INSPIRATION: WILDLIFE OF THE ROCKIES - The Evergreen Arts Center; Evergreen, CO
CELEBRATION - KD MOORE GALLERY; Evergreen, CO
22nd ANNUAL ALL COLORADO ART SHOW - Curtis Arts & Humanities Center; Greenwood Village, CO
58th ANNUAL EXHIBITION - CENTRAL CITY, Gilpin County Arts Association; Central City, CO
14th ANNUAL COLORADO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY 2005 STATE WATERMEDIA EXHIBIT - Denver History Museum; Denver, CO
18th ANNUAL MCNEESE NATIONAL WORKS ON PAPER - Abercrombie Gallery; Lake Charles, LA
14th NATIONAL EXHIBITION - NCAA - Lincoln Center; Fort Collins,CO
37th ANNUAL VISUAL ARTS EXHBITION - Meadows Gallery Center for the Visual Arts; Denton, TX
WIDE OPEN WHATEVER - CORE New Art Space; Denver, CO
DRAWING SHOW - Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art; Boulder, CO
MOUNTAIN CLAY, AN EXHIBIT OF FINE CLAY - Evergreen Arts Center; Evergreen, CO
2004 Exhibitions Include:
POST CARDS FROM THE EDGE, VISUAL AIDS BENEFIT - Brent Sikkema Gallery; New York, NY
SMALL WORKS/MINIATURE SHOW - Norby Gallery; Cave Creek, AZ
COLORADO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY - Lakewood Cultural Center; Lakewood, CO
COLORADO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY BOTANIC GARDENS EXHIBIT - Denver Botanic Garden; Denver, CO
8th ANNUAL LINES INTO SHAPES - Art Center of Estes Park; Estes Park, CO
GILPIN COUNTY ARTS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS' EXHIBIT - Central City Gallery; Central City, CO
CREATURE FEATURE - The Loft at the South Union Gallery; Lakewood, CO
19th ANNUAL CONSERVATORY ART CLASSIC - Bosque Conservatory; Clifton, TX
2004 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS SUMMER ART - Eleanor Bliss Center For The Arts, The Depot; Steamboat Springs, CO
21st ANNUAL ALL COLORADO ART SHOW - Curtis Arts & Humanities Center; Greenwood Village, CO
FOOTHILLS ART CENTER; Golden, CO
57th ANNUAL EXHIBITION - Central City Gallery; Central City, CO
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIENNIAL - Museum of Contemporary Art; Fort Collins, CO
COLORADO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY STATE WATERMEDIA EXHIBIT - Colorado History Museum; Denver, CO
EAA SPRING MEMBERS'SHOW - Evergreen Arts Center; Evergreen, CO
DESIGNER GALLERIA - NEO Art Gallery; Denver, CO
THE MUSIC IN ME - NEO Art Gallery; Denver,CO
SPRING EXHIBIT - Shadow Mountain Gallery; Kittredge, CO
FEMME, INSPIRED WORKS BY 50 WOMEN ARTISTS - 12th Street Art Gallery; Golden, CO
2003 Major Exhibitions Include:
EVERGREEN ART CENTER HOLIDAY OPENING EXHIBIT - Evergreen Art Center; Evergreen, CO
REFLECTIONS OF PEACE - 12th Street Art Gallery; Golden, CO
INTENTIONS IN BLACK AND WHITE - 12th Street Art Gallery; Golden, CO
PROJECT SAFEGUARD BENEFIT: LASTING IMAGES - Denver Design Center; Denver, CO
SHADOW MOUNTAIN GALLERY FALL EXHIBIT; Kittredge, CO
EVERGREEN ARTS FESTIVAL; Evergreen, CO
SHADOW MOUNTAIN GALLERY BENEFIT; Evergreen, CO
ARTS ALIVE!: SUMMER EXHIBIT; Conifer, CO
SHADOW MOUNTAIN GALLERY SUMMER EXHIBIT; Kittredge, CO
SHADOW MOUNTAIN GALLERY SPRING EXHIBIT; Kittredge, CO
Prior Major Exhibitions Include:
SMITH SYMPOSIUM - Ryerson Woods Gallery; Deerfield, IL
BIRDS OF PREY WATERCOLOR NEW WORK, ONE PERSON EXHIBIT - Heller Nature Center Gallery; Highland Park, IL
BARREN GROUNDS BIRD OBSERVATORY; New South Whales, Australia
EAGLE DAYS; Rock Island, IL
BIRDS OF PREY: THREE PERSPECTIVES - Heller Nature Center Gallery; Highland Park, IL
NORTH AMERICAN FALCONERS' ASSOCIATION MEET EXHIBIT; Waverly, IA
BIRDS OF PREY, ONE PERSON EXHIBIT - Newport Gallery; Bannockburn, IL
BIRDS OF PREY WATERCOLORS, ONE PERSON EXHIBIT - Heller Nature Center Gallery; Highland Park, IL
RYERSON NATURE ART EXHIBIT - Ryerson Woods Gallery; Deerfield, IL
ADDENDUM, MORE CHICAGO ARTISTS; Chicago, IL
RECENT WORK 3 - Jan Cicero Gallery; Chicago, IL
RECENT WORK 2 - Jan Cicero Gallery; Chicago, IL
RUTGERS NATIONAL DRAWING 79 - Stedman Art Gallery; Camden University Art Gallery; New Brunswick, NJ
7 X 9 SHOW INVITATIONAL - N.A.M.E. Gallery; Chicago, IL
20" CENTURY ARTISTS INVITATIONAL - Fermi Lab Gallery; Batavia, IL
WORKS ON PAPER 77 "EXHIBITION BY ARTISTS OF CHICAGO AND VICINITY - Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago, IL
COOL ABSTRACTION INVITATIONAL - Richard Gray Gallery; Chicago, IL
29th ILLINOIS INVITATIONAL - Illinois State Museum; Springfield, IL
THE 2nd N.A.M.E. DRAWING SHOW - N.A.M.E. Gallery; Chicago, IL
MODULES, SHAPES, AND GRIDS INVITATIONAL - Northwestern University Gallery; Evanston, IL
THE WEDNESDAY EVENING GROUP DRAWINGS INVITATIONAL - Bergman Gallery; Chicago, IL
RECENT WORK - Jan Cicero Gallery; Chicago, IL
WOMEN INVITATIONAL; Highland Park, IL
DRAWINGS - N.A.M.E. Gallery; Chicago, IL
GRAND SALON; Chicago, IL
NEW TALENT SEARCH - Richard Gray Gallery; Chicago, IL
WINNERS INVITATIONAL; Evanston, IL
FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS; Evanson, IL
NEW HORIZONS IN ART; Chicago, IL
DRAWINGS INVITATIONAL; Winnetka, IL
Awards:
First Place, Nature's Inspiration: Wildlife of the Rockies II - Evergreen Arts Center, CO
Juror's Choice Award, 23rd All Colorado Show - Curtis Arts & Humanities Center, CO
Third Place, Strength - KD Moore Gallery
Third Place, Celebration - KD Moore Gallery
Second Place, 14th National Art Exhbition - Northern Colorado Artist Association
Dr. Ph. Martin Award - 37th Annual Visual Arts Exhibition - Visual Arts Socisety of Texas
Jurors' Choice Award, 57th Annual Exhibition - Gilpin County Arts Association
First Place, Members' Award, Evergreen Arts Festival
Third Place Members' Award, Evergreen Artists' Association
Current Galleries:
Wilson Adams Gallery; Denver, CO
Squash Blossom Gallery; Colorado Springs, CO
Philinda Gallery: Edwards, CO
Mt. Carroll Art Gallery; Mt. Carroll, IL
Publications:
2006 MIKE'S FALCONRY SUPPLIES, Spring
2005 MIKE'S FALCONRY SUPPLIES, Spring
2004 MIKE'S FALCONRY SUPPLIES, Spring
2003 HAWK CHALK, December
2003 WESTERN SPORTING PUBLICATION, Spring Cover
2003 MIKE'S FALCONRY SUPPIES, Spring
2003 AMERICAN FALCONRY MAGAZINE, Featured Artist, March
2002 AMERICAN FALCONRY MAGAZINE, September
2001 SOAR, Spring
2001 SEEDING THE SNOW, Spring
1999,1997,1996,1994 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN FALCONERS' ASSOCIATION
Professional Memberships:
Signature Member, Colorado Watercolor Society
Evergreen Artists' Association
Gilpin County Arts Association
North American Falconers' Association
Colorado Hawking Club
Other Related Activities:
State and Federally Licensed Master Falconer
Lecturer on Birds of Prey - "Hawk Talks"
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Raptor Ridge Falconry Art