About the Art

My pieces are influenced by my experience and contact with various cultures. Over the years the influence of Asian culture has had strong a strong impact on my work, not just in terms of subject matter but in terms of the use of space and aesthetics. My work has been influenced by my extensive travels both within the United States and overseas. I've lived throughout the US, and have also lived 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, immersing myself in the language and culture, which has strongly invluenced my work.

Some of my works over the 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 added more complexity, roundness and color that can't be had with a block print. While Ukiyo-e were prints, I've done mine in watercolor, acrylic, and pen & ink, allowing a richer gamut of color, more free flowing design and depth.

I tend to use a lot of ink pen in my work, especially with architectural drawings. I love the use of line, and the texture created by the use of lines. I've heard it said that there is a difference artistically between line and stroke (the brush), and yet pen work contains elements of both. The use of line in a pen & ink drawing and etchings creates interesting texture and definition that I've always been "drawn" to.

Some artists who have influenced me are Rembrandt, Picasso, MC Escher, Rene Magritte, Victor Hugo, and Monet. There are also lesser known contemporary artists who have influenced me, like Bob Costain, and Richard Nichols at the airbrush stand in Waikiki, and Tom Brown from Baltimore. Although name dropping of well known artists both deceased and contemporary displays a historical knowledge of the field and imparts a sense of educated well roundedness, it's the lesser known everyday artists, street artists full of grunge and vigor whose real and immediate labors of love inspire me the most on a daily basis. Seriously.

About the Artist

I grew up with a passion for art (every art statement starts something like 'I started drawing at the age of three days old' in order to add some history and legitimacy to their effort. I'll jump on the band wagon here.). Besides, there wasn't much else to do in the correctional facilities except draw and read the bible. I chose the former.

I started college as a Fine Art major, although I eventually listened to reason and finished college with more practical degrees in both linguistics and political science, as if any vocation stemming from those disciplines would yield any more financial or social status than that of an artist. I suppose I could have been a lawyer, or a politician, or an interogation specialist for a spy agency. But the practical route led to other things and subsequently, during most of my life I worked in international business. The perks weren't bad, and neither was the T&E budget, so I can't complain too much.

However, over the years I have also worked by night as an airbrush artist (kind of like a super hero, I had a red cape and everything), a book illustrator (no, not the hentai manga crap), t-shirt design artist (yes, the really tacky ones), web designer, photoshop expert (falsifying images for Fox News), and have exhibited my art work and photography in numerous shows in the US, Hawaii, and Japan (more blatent attempts to legitimize and quantify my vast experience and long-standing dedication to the arts).

In 2005 I left the corporate world (no I was not fired), and moved back to Japan for two years to focus on my artwork and photography (no, I was not running from the law either). I was however secretly planning my next big move to take over the world, and after years of research and toil I started a fine art reproduction and giclée printing business, and am dedicating more and more of my time to my own art, making it a full time vocation.

2011 Exhibitions

Community Center of Mercer Island: TBD - tentative dates Jan 3 - February 11, 2011
Artist Reception - TBD

Mia Yoshihara Gallery main and 2nd, Seattle, WA, through February 12th

Kobo Galleries: Selected works on display in the Internatiniol District and Capitol Hill

2010 Exhibitions

Kobo Galleries: Selected works on display in the Internatiniol District and Capitol Hill

Kaywyn Gallery, Bothel, WA: February 6th - March 16th.

Overlake Hospital South Tower Lounge (Bellevue, Wa): April - May

Bellevue Public Library (six pieces on display) June

Eastside Nihon Matsuri September

2009 Exhibitions

Daniel Smith Art Supply, Bellevue, WA: March - April 2009. Artist Invitational.

Overlake Hospital, Bellevue, WA: April 19th - July 19th. Bellevue Public Art display through EastSide Association of Fine Arts.

2008 Exhibitions

Eastside Association for Fine Arts show at Trilogy Lodge, May 2008

RAYS (Renton Area Youth Services) Auction

Seattle Sampling, Artist Studio Tour 2008

2007 Exhibitions

41st Oita Fine Art Show: Art Plaza Exhibit Hall, Oita, Japan (February 2007)

50th Oita Prefectural Fine Art Exhibit (March 2007)

Usuki Art Show, Usuki, Japan: Award for Kyoto Geisha painting, acrylic on Fine Art Paper

Seattle Sampling, Artist Studio Tour 2007

2006 Exhibitions

Usuki Art and Photography Exhibition, Usuki, Japan: Ryugenji Temple, and two photos entered. Took honorable mention for Ryugenji Temple

Bienare Ushiku, Ushiku, Japan: Painting Exhibited: Hito, Mizu, Midori

World Artist Network Gallery Opening in Baltimore, MD.