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Recently, I finished going through the last few batches of old drawings and collages in storage - throwing out the damaged pieces after salvaging as much as possible. Some of my works on paper from the 1980's were showing little areas of "foxing". These are reddish brown spots that you sometimes see on old paper, books. Over time, I have destroyed pieces that just seemed too damaged. This picture is a detail from one of the destroyed collages. The piece was made from collograph and handmade paper scraps; with some drawing in ink and charcoal.
I look at it now, so many years later, and feel like I have been re-joined with an old friend. The image below has a certain stance and suggestion of movement that is welcoming. It also serves as a visceral connection to myself of over 20 years ago. The image is giving me back those years; it is blurring the line between past and present to the point where the counting of those years becomes superfluous.

There are several venues locally where my art is currently being shown:

"Holiday Invitational Exhibition" at Humboldt State University's First Street Gallery in old town Eureka, CA. I have two ceramic pieces in this show, see photo below for a detail shot of the mixed media one. Show runs from November 28 through December 23, 2011.

Solo show at Hand Therapy Center at 854 10th Street in Arcata, CA. Features 3D Doodle paintings and "Quatro" paintings, along with some watercolors and collages. The show started November 22. The Arts Arcata reception is December 9, 6 - 9 pm.

"Winter Exhibition" at Redwood Art Association Gallery at 603 F Street in Eureka, CA. I am showing one of my mixed media "Glyphyx" paintings. Show runs from November 23 to December 18, 2011.

Now that some time has passed since one of my sisters died, I started changing the picture that I originally made for her. In PhotoShop, the blacks are now mostly color.

This small drawing is in memory of my sister Polly who passed away recently. I had drawn this while she was still alive, not knowing that it would end up as tribute to her. It was just another small spontaneous ink drawing at the time. But, a few days later, just as I was looking at it and wondering what the title would be, the name "Polly" popped in my head AND I received an email saying that she was now going into hospice.
I shared a photo of the drawing with the family and a number of them saw in it a connection with our sister. Hard to say exactly what this connection is. Maybe it is best to leave it as a mystery. I do know that when she did die, there was indeed a crescent moon in the sky.
Now, this little drawing is at my mom's house; when I showed it to her, she immmediately picked up on a semplance to Polly. So, there the drawing sits, with my mom.

I have looked and looked for a contemporary art movement that is similar to my art. I have yet to find one. Hence, the descriptive phrase of “artist unique”. If you know of any artists having an affinity to my art, please let me know; I would love to connect with them!
My art is as free of rational constructs as possible. Generally, this approach results in biomorphic/metamorphic forms. For instance, the three dimensional ceramic sculpture first comes to life as a simple spontaneous sketch. From this starting point, my hands form the piece from the bottom up; responding to both structural and intuitive directives.
The paintings and works on paper are more spontaneous than the sculptures in that I am without the constraints of what clay can or can’t do. They are also more challenging because there are so many more options: color, line, mediums, brush, pen, pencil, etc. Once started, all the techniques, formal elements and inner suggestions do a synchronous interplay with each other. To keep the spontaneity is a moment-by-moment challenge, and basically an act of trust.
Whether it’s a sculpture or a two-dimensional piece, I never know what the final product will look like ahead of time. My commitment to being true to my “self” has often resulted in universal icons or forms. The walls that normally separate right/wrong, male/female, rich/poor, good/bad, human/animal/plant tend to fall away. The “self” does not have a manifesto.

This is a sculpture called "Praying for all, always". This piece is a reminder to me of things that usually get lost in the daily business of living. As if by proxy, this sculpture vigilantly is doing what I don't have the wherewithal or time to do. It is praying for all creatures, 24/7. Someone has to do this! There just seem to be so many things on the brink of disaster or extinction.
I am not even sure what I mean by praying; is it an entreaty to a force as big as the universe? Or, is it actually a call to something inside of me? Something that is unfathomably connected to a powerful source of energy.

Titles for paintings are just my words; words that come to my mind after a work is completed. Just as legitimate are your words.

Feel free to share your “titles”. They can be short or long.

Current feature: a painting from the Glyphs series. When I look at this painting, a number of different experiences come to mind. One of them took place quite a while ago, one afternoon when I was crossing the San Francisco Bay Bridge. I felt elated that things were indeed working out well after my move from the Los Angeles area. A confident exuberance just suddenly effused me with a sense of lightness as I was driving over the bay. A strong sense of lightness and new possibilities.

What comes to your mind when you look at this painting?