Artist Statement

In my landscape and architcture artwork I want the viewer to visit the location I've painted and feel the simplicity and serenity of the area. Each piece carries with it a feeling, an emotion, and the viewer should have a sense of being in that location in its ideal form. Ancient castles and temples are created simplifying lines and highlighting the strong points of the architecture and surroundings. Time stands still.

Some of my works over the last several years have been based on Japanese ukiyo-e and Meiji Era prints. In these I've borrowed the elegant patterns and flowing kimono designs, but I've altered the colors, the faces and overall design. While Ukiyo-e were prints, I've done them in watercolor, acrylic, and pen & ink, allowing a richer gamut of color and more free flowing design. These pieces are dominated by rich color and beautiful , elegant form, with a juxtaposition of tightly controlled design and explosive background watercolor washes.

I tend to use a lot of ink pen in my work. Many of my works are only ink pen, and some are watercolor and pen & ink. I love the use of line, and the texture created by the use of line. One of the hardest things to render with pen is soft contrast, and yet it can be done delicately. The use of line in a pen & ink drawing creates interesting texture and depth that I've always been "drawn" to. I have been heavily influenced by the etchings of Rembrandt and Picasso.

About the Artist

I grew up with a passion for art, and I started college as a Fine Art major, although I eventually changed directions and decided art would be a hobby and a passion, but not a profession. That being said, over the years I have worked as an airbrush artist, book illustrator, t-shirt design artist, and web designer, and have exhibited my fine art works and photography in numerous shows in the US and Japan.

In 2005 I took a sabbatical and moved back to Japan for two years to focus on my artwork and photography, and continue to dedicate the majority of my time to creating and marketing my artwork.

My work has been influenced by my extensive travels and time spent living overseas. While attending university as an undergraduate, I spent two years in Europe and Africa. I attended graduate school at the University of Hawaii, and then moved to Japan in 1990. Since that time I have spent nearly 10 years living in Japan, and have studied the language and culture extensively, which has influenced my work in many ways.

2007 Exhibitions

2006 Exhibitions