I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area that was rich with art, music and science. My first clarinet teacher was also a fine artist, who showed me similarities in music and art. In Chicago, I hung art and worked at the Terra Museum of American Art; plus, I studied, taught, and performed music. This guided me to professional orchestra performing, salmon biology work, and selling my art in galleries.
My art is influenced by Georgia O’Keefe, Edward Weston, music performances, salmon work, and a transcendent vision.
I create abstract and ecological art. My art’s biomorphic images are on and under the painting, while abstract nevertheless refer to or evoke forms that I see, feel, and hear in my life.
My salmon art is a contemporary form of environmental art expressing concerns about the local environment. In a response to the collapsed East Coast Atlantic Salmon and other fisheries, I paint art to bring awareness about the salmon of the West coast, which are symbolic of abundance, prosperity and renewal. Also, the salmon in my art are an environmental awareness indicator for the Northwest that represents the condition of the land, water, and ecosystems.
I look at my art as a song and hear the painting before I paint. I translate music expression into art. Rhythm becomes painting patterns. Dynamics, tone, & timbre are my paint colors. Harmony & chords are the layering of paint. On stage I wore a tuxedo, which to me as a painter represents the art frame. A concert broadcasted on the radio is similar to the art with no frame.
As you walk by my art or as the sunlight moves during the day, my painting changes colors. I paint art over other paintings and designs. The under painting becomes the subconscious of my art that is complex like ourselves.
I connect with my community through work with artists, musicians, video & sound engineers, scientists, art shows, and commissions; furthermore, I donate my art in fund raisers for art schools, ALS, & food banks.