I’m very excited about a new series in the studio based on the fiery color Red. The range and passion of the color inspires imagery and iconography alternating from the cheerful to the sinister. Viewer reactions to the new paintings vary from discomfort to absolute delight. This exciting color is associated with danger, love, power, heat, passion, joy, celebration and ceremony…the list goes on.

The new work focuses on the human relationship with the color. Slivers of thick yellow, blue and white slice into the rich crimson landscape. Treated gold leaf shimmers and then breaks down, decay evoking time and age. The work is passionate yet controlled and architectural. I’m crazy about that kind of juxtaposition. More of the Red series is on the drawing board and I’m excited about the new pieces. See all the new work in the Abstract gallery.

In 2009 I was asked to create an insignia for a group working to bring Women’s Ski Jump to the Olympics. And now for the first time the ladies will thrill us by hurtling down the slope at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. I’m proud to have had a tiny part of the movement that brought these amazing athletes to the games. Check out the events and times at the bleacher report.

Seattle Art Museum and Denver Art Museum bet on their team to win

January 27, 2014 – Seattle Art Museum  (SAM) and Denver Art Museum (DAM) are betting temporary loans of major works of art based on the outcome of Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.

The Stakes:

A majestic Native American mask reminiscent of a mighty “Seahawk” from SAM’s renowned Northwest Coast Native American art collection is wagered by Kimerly Rorschach, SAM’s Illsley Ball Nordstrom Director and CEO.

The Broncho Buster, a bronze icon of the West by Frederic Remington from the renowned western American art collection at the DAM is wagered by Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director.

The winning city will receive a three-month loan of the prized artwork. All shipping and expenses will be paid by the city that loses the big game.

“I’m confident that we will be enjoying Remington’s The Broncho Buster at SAM. We are already making plans to host it here in Seattle so that the 12^th Man can see it,” said Rorschach.

“We know the Broncos won’t be busted on Super Bowl Sunday,” Heinrich said. “I am looking forward to giving the losing team’s mascot a special place of honor in Bronco Nation.”

Reprinted courtesy Seattle Art Blog.

I remember standing in front of the Jasper Johns painting, willing all that color and light into my puny brain. I’d never seen anything like it. I’d grown up in a small town and I’d never been to a museum but now I was in art school in the big city and I couldn’t believe a painting could have so much depth and life. I breathed the words on the canvas, sussing out what the artist was trying to say to me. I was knocked out and I wanted to paint like that.

Now I incorporate text in my paintings all the time. I like the idea of the work having a kind of sound to it. People say the words and sometimes look at me, puzzled. It gets them thinking about what it’s trying to say and they find personal meaning. Just like I did, staring at that Johns painting. All those years ago.

I was pleased to donate a painting to this year’s Jungle Party fundraising auction at the Woodland Park Zoo here in Seattle. The 37^th Annual Jungle Party at the Woodland Park Zoo’s themed Journey to the Savanna in the North Meadow of the grounds included a reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and live auction on Friday, July 12^th. More activities included exclusive animal tours, up-close animal encounters, live entertainment, and more.

I donated the painting A Splendid Window and the painting did a splendid job indeed, selling above the listed value. It was super exciting to keep tabs on the piece via the silent auction smart phone app the zoo implemented and it was nice to be included in such great company. A lot of great art in this year’s auction.

The event will support the Woodland Park Zoo’s excellence in animal care, as well as local and global conservation and education programs.