ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Throughout my entire art career the one element that has persisted in my art through different medium and stylistic explorations is “time vs. change”.  Through the use of elaborate textures and a developed hierarchy of symbols, I explore the fragile balance between nature and mankind’s manifestations as well as contemporary society’s erosion of traditional world cultures. My paintings are rich with layers and a variety of textures that have the visceral feel of the age we live in. One reviewer has described my work at once as “gritty, urban, and elegant”.

BIOGRAPHICAL

I was born (1963) and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I was indoctrinated into the world of art and architecture by my paternal grandmother who exposed me to world class museums and architectural sites from a very young age. I was inspired to pursue an education in architecture at 13. In 1986 I graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a bachelors of architecture degree. After graduation from architecture school I spent seven months traveling around the world furthering my education in the art and architectural worlds by visiting as many of the world renown buildings and art museums that I could see, as well as absorbing as much of the cultures of Europe, N. Africa, and Asia. In 1987, I spent some time working in India documenting a large archeological site. Upon my return to the U.S., I was hired by Universal Studios to design architecture, but soon found myself designing sets for television and film.  In 2005 after an 18 year career designing sets for motion pictures and television in the Los Angeles area I moved to Asheville, NC and started a residential design firm. My residential design firm, Retro+Fit Design has produced award winning residential architecture for 20 years. Throughout my adult life I have worked in creative fields, however, I have always felt it was necessary to continue with my expression through my individual artworks.

 I have always considered travel essential in having an understanding of world cultures and what my place in this world is. Travel has had an important impact in the body of my work. As well as traveling throughout the world, I lived and worked in France, India, Italy, and Canada.

EXHIBITIONS

-Solo Show: Salon Blue Ridge, Flat Rock, NC June-Aug. 2012

-Solo Show: Lola Salon/Gallery, Asheville, NC June-Aug. 2007

-Bring Us Your Best-Group Exhibition: Hendersonville Arts Council, Hendersonville, NC July-Aug 2006

-Eight from Asheville-Group Exhibition: Courtyard Gallery, Asheville, NC. Aug-Sep. 2005

-Juried Group Exhibition: Arternatives Visual Arts Forum-San Luis Obispo CA. June 1998

-Arternatives National Exhibition '97 (Juried Group Exhibition): Arternatives Visual Arts Forum-San Luis Obispo, CA October 1997. Honorable Mention

-"Continuum" Urban Art Consortium Group Show: American Center for Music Theater, Hollywood, California December 1996

-"Labyrinth" Urban Art Consortium Group Show: American Center for Music Theater, Hollywood, California August 1996

-Le Clos St. Basile: Mougins, France August 1993-October 1994

-Group Show: Insomnia Cafe & Art Gallery, Los Angeles, California, May-June 1993

-Commissioned Paintings featured on N.B.C. Television’s “L.A. Law”, April 1993

-“Behind the Green Door”, 3 artist show: Green Door Studio, Santa Monica, California, August 1992

-Group Show: Central Art Gallery, Pasadena, California, December 1991

-Group Show: Central Art Gallery, Pasadena, California, September 1991

-Group Show: Santa Monica College Art Gallery, Santa Monica, California, May 1990

-Selected Paintings featured in Motion Picture and Television shows

COLLECTIONS

Sony Television, Culver City CA

Corliss & Solomon PLLC, Asheville, NC

John Duggan & Angela Filotico, Lecce, Italy

Shauna McDonald, Asheville, NC

Jay and Lauren Pelissier, Atlanta, GA

Mr. Greg Richman, Los Angeles, CA

Mr. & Mrs. Claude Muscatelli, Mougins France

Heike Stiller, Stuttgart, Germany

Ms. Takako Kobayashi, Los Angeles, CA

Ms. Denise Dugally, Los Angeles, CA

Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Flohr, Los Angeles, CA

Mr. John Thawley, Costa Mesa, CA

Mr. & Mrs. Walter Pueschel, Encino, CA

Mrs. Louise Weil, Carmel, CA

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Weil Jr., La Quinta, CA

EDUCATION & RELATED EXPERIENCE

-School of Architecture and Environmental Design, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California Bachelor of Architecture, 1986

-Continuing Education at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California Various painting and drawing studios 1989-90

-Award Winning Residential Designer: Retro+Fit+Design, Asheville, NC  2005-Present

-Motion Picture and Television Production Designer, Art Director and Set Designer 1987-2005

-Worked as an artist and lived in Paris, France 1993-95

-Worked on an archeological site in Hampi, Karnataka, India  1987