Artist Statement/Biography

I’m fascinated with the 1920-1940's. Maybe it's a "past-life" thing. I wasn't born until 1955. The period was rich in design. The vehicles, clothing, architecture, appliances and print media were futuristically elegant. Most of my reflections of this time are through a gray colored lens. I use old black and white vintage snapshots of candid common events. None of my images are of re-enacted events; all actually happened. They are common settings, just uncommon that the photos survived. We still live much the way they did back then. Most of the situations in these scenes are universal, timeless and cross-cultural. I'm highly selective of my imagery. I am respectful of the spirit of those in the photographs. I avoid photographs that would embarrass those who have passed on. Instead I want to celebrate their time here on earth. These images evoke a nostalgic feeling, although my paintings have a contemporary relevance and color palette. I try to bring this era to life with color. Not simply colorizing the scenes but pushing color to a plausible but unusual limit. I leave the people vague so that the viewer can inject themselves or someone they know into the image. There's a part of me that is striving to capture a sense of the reality of today's moment and its relationship to the past. There is an illusive, moody feeling that I still haven't arrived at. I have the rest of my life to try.

Born 1955 and raised in Utah then moved to Montana where he has lived and painted for over 25 years. Primarily self-taught but has studied under Freeman Butts, Carolyn Anderson and Thomas English. Has learned much from his mentors Arlene Hooker Fay, David Katz, W.Steve Seltzer, Ron Ukrainetz, Mimi Grant, Joe Halko and Ron Deloney. His work has been featured three times in U.S.Art Magazine including one “Editor’s Choice”. Southwest Art Magazine “Artist to Watch” March 2003. His works are in private and corporate collections in the U.S. and abroad. Represented by Coda Gallery in New York, New York, Palm Desert, California and Park City, Utah, Attic Gallery in Portland, Oregon, Dana Gallery in Missoula, Montana, Visions West Gallery in Bozeman and Livingston, Montana, Samarah Fine Art, Whitefish, Montana.