“Move towards that which makes you feel more alive.”
~ Rodney Smith
My abstract paintings are informed by the natural world, contemporary poetry, meditation practice and life’s transitions — consciously uncovering themes of joy, grief, gratitude and presence found in everyday life.
My 30-year career in the creative arts includes fine art, creative direction, graphics, arts administration and teaching. I began as an illustrator and designer in the Midwest, graduating from Kendall School of Design in Grand Rapids and working in print and publication in Detroit. Seeking arts community, in the ‘80s I moved west to Portland, exhibiting my paintings in local galleries and public venues, and working as a creative director in tech marketing. Now I’m based in Port Townsend, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula, where I paint from my studio, exhibit regionally, and teach creative process classes designed to grow each artist’s personal expression.
Recent highlights include a series of oil paintings entitled “Favorite Things” at The Grover Gallery in Summer 2024; and a solo show “Some Mornings”, inspired by poems by Linda Robertson on themes of transcendence and loss in March 2022.
My memoir, “Notes from Next to the Bed: A love story in words & pictures” launched in September 2024. Paintings from the book will be exhibited at Jefferson Museum of Art + History, March-June 2025. For more information about the book, purchasing or scheduling a presentation/talk, please email me.
Read my sketchbook blog for insight into my process and influences.
Visit me on Instagram for regular posts on my work in progress.
BIOGRAPHY
Born 1957 Long Island, New York
1964-1981 Detroit, Michigan
1982-2016 Portland, Oregon
2016-Present Port Townsend, WA
SOLO SHOWS
2022. Some Mornings, Grover Gallery, Port Townsend, WA.
2020. Carnegie Reading Room, Port Townsend Public Library, Washington
2019. 2018. Northwind Arts Center Open Studio Tour, Port Townsend, WA
2018. Taps at the Guardhouse, Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA
2015, 2012. Stonehenge Gallery, Portland, OR
2011. Eastbank Center, Portland, OR
2009, 2008. Moreland Gallery, Portland, OR
2008. Tilde, Portland, OR
2007-2014. Open Studio Shows, Portland, OR
2007. Portland City Hall, Portland, OR
2007. Onda Gallery, Portland, OR
2001, 1998. In Her Image Gallery, Portland, OR
2000, 1999. Art Home Gallery, Portland, OR
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITS
July/August 2024. The Grover Gallery, Port Townsend, WA
August 2021. Resilient & Creative: National Juried Exhibition, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Port Angeles, WA
June 2021. Lost Words: A Juried Exhibit of Art and Poetry, Northwind Art Best Gallery, Port Townsend, WA
2018, 2019. Artist Showcase, Juried, Northwind Art (formerly Northwind Arts Center), Port Townsend, WA
June-July 2020. Founder & Faculty Exhibit. PTSA Grover Gallery, Port Townsend, WA
Spring-Summer 2020. Juried Spring Exhibit, Jansen Art Center, Lynden, WA
January-June 2020. “Contemporary Northwest Landscapes”, Lynnwood Convention Center, Washington
April–July 2019. Port Townsend School of the Arts Faculty Exhibition, Phyllis Lamphere Gallery, Washington State Convention Center
October 2018. Perspectives on Landscape, Juror Merit Award, Northwind Arts Center, Port Townsend, WA
June 2017. Alchemy of the Abstract VIII, Juried, Northwind Arts Center, Port Townsend, WA
2016-2018. Gallery 9, Port Townsend, WA
2013, 2012. Artists Among Us, Juried, Trinity Cathedral, Portland, OR
2009. Annie Meyer Gallery, Portland, OR; Spring Awakenings, Onda Gallery, Portland, OR; Maryhill Museum Festival of Art, Juried, Goldendale, WA; Puget Sound West Coast Art Exhibition, Juried, Seattle, WA
PUBLIC ART
2024. 2022. 2021. 2018. 2016. Jefferson Healthcare, Port Townsend, WA
RESIDENCIES
October 2021. Playa at Summer Lake, Oregon.
May 2019. Centrum Artist-in-Residence, Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA
SPEAKERSHIPS
July 2019. Intersect! Art/Science Slam. Collaboration event led by Meg Kaczyk. Northwind Arts Center, Port Townsend, WA
May 2019. The Intersection of Art and the Environment, panel discussion moderated by Meg Kaczyk. Northwind Arts Center, Port Townsend, WA
February 2018, August 2018. Art Talk: Ways to Inspiration, Northwind Arts Center and Port Ludlow Art League, WA
TEACHING
2024. Inspired Desert Landscape Abstract Workshop, Playa at Summer Lake, OR
2017-present. Teacher, Northwind Art School (formerly Port Townsend School of the Arts), Port Townsend, WA
2018. Make It Abstract Workshop, Boiler Room Hospitality Center for Youth,
Port Townsend, WA
2018. Art Workshops, Operation Nightwatch, Portland, OR
2002-2004. Art Facilitator, New Avenues for Youth Reception Center, Portland, OR
ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
2021-2022. Strategy & Education Director, Northwind Art
2020-2021. Communications Director, Northwind Art (formerly Port Townsend School of the Arts)
2018-2020. Board Member, Port Townsend School of the Arts
1985-2008. Designer, Kalakendra Society for the Performing Arts of India
1986-1989. Designer/illustrator, Homowa African Arts & Culture Foundation
1986-1988. Designer, Young Audiences of Oregon and Washington
1983-1985. Board Member, World Music Foundation
EDUCATION
1978. Illustration/Design, Kendall School of Design, Grand Rapids, MI
1985. Printmaking, NW College of Art, Portland, OR
PRESS
The Jefferson County Beacon, August 26, 2024, “The Intersectionality of Grief”
Port Townsend Leader, August 19, 2020, ” ‘Art in the Hospital’ Brings Beauty to Jefferson Healthcare”
Port Townsend Leader, May 22, 2019, “Space and Time”
Port Townsend Leader, January 30, 2019, “Leading with the Brush”
Port Townsend Leader, January 9, 2018, “The Art of Encouragement”
Artist photo credit: Max Grover