My work as a self-taught artist began in Hood River, Oregon, after grad school in San Francisco; majoring in English-Linguistics and teaching. I was on my way to Colorado. In Hood River I got to be part of the pioneer art scene. I started a co-op gallery with local artists featuring FUNctional art. Then I opened the Red Fish Gallery and after that The Red Fish Art Cafe, where I let my culinary creative art take over.
I always juggled different works, and was able to pay some bills as an artist; mostly as a muralist, commercial and private - large scale, sides of buildings, restaurants, kid's rooms, floor canvases, historic wall and ceiling art, specialty finishes, custom stencils, etc.
It took awhile, and a few more detours, but I made it to Colorado! I’ve been in the Telluride area mostly massaging and some arting and lots of playing for 11 years.
What is your chosen artistic medium?
My chosen artistic mediums are anything that inspires. The artistic mediums that I have exchanged cash money for are mostly painting and metal and design work.
What are your muses?
The human process, Honey bees, my massage work, everything and everywhere I love.
My deep connection to honey bees began when I had a sweet historic farm with pear and apple orchards. In my efforts to be an agripreneur, I jumped the hoops of organic status, to then find out the county used round up road side, with no plans to change. Then there were no pears. My heart broke. I was rudely awakened to colony collapse disorder and all it’s heart breaking life killing repercussions.
I painted my heart out for those honey bees. There was a successful art show with awareness and proceeds to the honey bees. Then everything changed. As it was meant to.. I turned my focus on my massage work. Over the past 15 years, my massage work has deepened into another powerful muse. I feel that I have been living in the creative process, despite taking a rest from painting. The human body and process are overwhelmingly beauty full, pain full, and magic full.
What are your prep or practice rituals to get you into the artistic head space?
Percolating ideas, sketching chalk on black canvas, making time, light, and music I feel....
What is your favorite awkward growth moment or barrier breaking time?
The sad lonely Christmas eve final closing of the Red Fish Art Gallery, a woman came in from the stormy night. Drawn to my work, I told her the story, in 3rd person, of the little pear hanging out on a limb (I am still awkward selling my own art). She chose to buy the painting. I processed her card, read her name, and smiled, feeling a warm fuzzy hug from the universe: 'Out on a Limb' was purchased by Faith.
What inspires you?
Life, the human process, healing, and love, and faith.
What is your favorite quote or saying?
Go fast, take chances! (cause it's fun and I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie)
Tell us about what’s next:
The ReBirth project will be 11 paintings; 4 finished, 7 in process. The paintings will be hung as they are ready, with September as the finish goal. I've got buckets of horse shoes ready to be welded, a mural in Ridgway, my home massage office and art space 'The Bee Well Hive' is in perpetual creative process...