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ART MEDIUM:
Acrylic & Oil Painting
ARTIST'S STATEMENT:
I have been working on a series of paintings titled the Thread Paintings since 2003. This collection of work delicately rests on the line between the ridged, graphic elements of design and the expressive, painterly brush strokes of Abstract Expressionism. These two elements have always been in conflict within my work, but now they are forced to coexist. They must be separate, but equal, being held together by the tightest of threads.
This mode of expression has allowed me to develop line quality and broad expanses of uninterrupted color. Lines of varying thickness overlap and intersect across the canvas, creating organic shapes. The shapes serve to divide up the background of aggressive paint application and stained colors. The lines seem to rise above the painting itself and twist into various forms.
These twisted forms were originally open to a wide range of interpretation. The thick, ornate forms were likened to trees and roots, while the more tenuous lines were said to resemble everything from chords to lightning. The name of the series ("The Threads") was meant to be ambiguous, with each piece assigned a chronological number to establish a timeline. Recent Thread Paintings, however, have taken on a new life--a deeper association apart from the previous numerical system. A one word title ties together the formal and conceptual qualities of each piece. So while the appearance and movement of the threads remain intact, each work now possesses an overarching theme.
ARTIST'S BIOGRAPHY:
I grew up in the southwestern city of El Paso, Texas. From early childhood, I was drawn to art making and creative expression. But when I left to attend college, it was with the desire to become a Graphic Designer. While attending Colorado State University, I became so inspired by the experimental, personalized work being created in the painting department that I switched concentrations.
It was in my senior year at Colorado State that I first began experimenting with abstraction in nature and a more free-form, subjective style of painting. In 2000, I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Painting. In the coming years, I will be pursuing my Masters in Painting.
I have spent the last five years exhibiting my work in galleries in Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. I also curate a gallery space in El Paso, Texas for emerging artists. For two years I served as the Artist in Residence in Painting & Drawing for the City of Phoenix, Arizona. I instructed students of all age groups in various styles and mediums and assembled numerous gallery exhibitions.
I am currently the visual arts instructor for Loma Linda School. Loma Linda is part of the progressive Creighton Elementary School District in Phoenix, Arizona.
CURRENT WORK:
The Thread Paintings is a series of Abstract pieces I have completed on canvas & linen in Acrylic & Oil.
CAREER BACKGROUND:
Education:
I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Colorado State University in 2000. My concentration was in Painting with an English minor. I became certified to teach K-12 students in the Visual Arts in 2005 through Rio Salado College.
EXHIBITIONS:
Current:
Steve Brown & Associates, LLC, Phoenix, Arizona
Completed five commissioned pieces for the law firm's permanent collection
2002 - Present:
Franco Art Studios, El Paso, Texas
Managing a gallery space for local contemporary artists
Past:
August 2006: Lumbre Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
Set up and promoted an exhibition accompanied by a local artist
March 2006: Monorchid Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
Participated in set up and promotion of Art Detour exhibit with several local artists
October 2005: First Studio, Phoenix, Arizona
Participated in set up and promotion of art exhibit featuring musical performances
March 2005: Phoenix Center for the Arts Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
Participated in set up and promotion of group show with fellow Resident Artists
March 2005: Monorchid Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
Participated in set up and promotion of Art Detour exhibit with several local artists
February-March 2005: Gilbert Community Fine Art Show, Gilbert, Arizona
Three of my pieces were selected for the annual juried art show
September 2004: Phoenix Center for the Arts Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
Participated in set up and promotion of group show with fellow Resident Artists
July 2004: Studio Hub, Phoenix, Arizona
Worked closely with gallery curator to set up and promote mini-retrospective of work
May 2004: @Central Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
Worked closely with gallery curator to display series of work for one man show
March 2004: Phoenix Center for the Arts Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
Participated in set up and promotion of group show with fellow Resident Artists
May-June 2003: Arizona State University Downtown Galleria, Phoenix, Arizona
Set up and promoted one man show
May 2003: The Paper Heart Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona
Participated in group show with several local artists
March 2003: Urbana Productions, Phoenix, Arizona
Assembled a collection of pieces for the Art Detour exhibit
November 2002-January 2003: City Hall, El Paso, Texas
Participated in group show with two local artists
2001-2002: V.C. Gallery, El Paso, Texas
Worked closely with gallery curator to display collection of works
April-May 2001: Lloyd's Art Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
Participated in set up and promotion of one man show
March 1999: Colorado State University Mini-Gallery, Fort Collins, Colorado
Set up and promoted one man show
PUBLICATIONS:
Arizona Republic, Success of an Artist Hangs by a Thread, May 5, 2004, Ernest McIntyre
Arizona Republic, Imagination is Common Thread Woven Through Artist's Work, May 13, 2004, Richard Nilsen
Downtown Phoenix Magazine, Studio Visit, May 2004; Forrest Martin
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