Here it is! The results of my one week challenge to myself. Turns out if I push it I can make one in a week. This one is considerably smaller than most. measuring only 20 x 9.5 inches- which honestly felt a lot like cheating.  Here's the final product:

I learned a lot this week about my process and about color.

 I set out to make a white on white piece. I just couldn't do it. I love color. Mixing color is one of the most satisfying tings I do on a regular basis. Producing a color that is what I'm feeling is such an engaging process- its accurate for me than writing a sentence. Joseph Albers changed how I think about color.  I used to leave materials raw and unfinished. Now- I can't say 'no' to slapping paint on things. I struggle now with how to pair colors to make the most impact. I am most challenged by picking out the right color of varnish to enhance the painting underneath. Below is the painting with the layer of varnish applied, but not buffed.

Below is the piece before the varnish. Notice how lively it feels in comparison to the 'finished' piece at the top of this entry.

All in all- I think I had a pretty successful 'challenge' week. The finished product may not be my favorite, but hey, I'm pretty picky. Thanks for taking the time to check this out!

Art + Craft + Design = Process.

Recently I had a great conversation with a friend about the difference between art, craft, and design- a touchy topic to say the least for anyone that works in those fields. To me- its all one be glob of wibbly wobbly mashed up and overlapping stuff. Really, its all the same. Art, craft, and design are all elements of what makes a piece successful. All the paintings in the Louvre would mean nothing if they weren't painted on well made canvas that hasn't warped over the centuries. Additionally, if the Mona Lisa's face was not a golden rectangle would we still feel the same way about it? I'm inclined to say it is how it was designed that makes it remarkable, not how it was painted.

I have been struggling whether or not I make art or if I craft well designed pieces. I'm leaning towards design. After six years of art school, I still don't know the difference.  In the end it doesn't matter because it is genuinely the process of making my work that drives me to do it.

For the past week I have been working on a piece that I have shown to no one. Its nothing special, just a quick design I drew up after an offhand comment from a friend. However, it gave me focus and an excuse to make something that doesn't directly fit in with my birds of prey and Columbia River Gorge theme.  This piece (not shown) to me is most definitely not art. There was very little thought behind it. For me it was a challenge of process and design. Would it be a successful piece if I applied a spackling of theme to it- but focused mainly on my formula for design and construction? I am super anxious about this one. Especially after what happened to 'Pear Bomb' when I finished it.

'Pear Bomb' in the very beginning.

oh the colors!

Done-zo.

  I had such high hopes for it- not that it was a bad piece- but it changed so much when I varnished it. Sometimes, I get deeply attached to what I think a piece should look like that I fail to appreciate it for what it looks like. A week after my initial knee jerk reaction to hate 'Pear Bomb' has done a complete 180. It is rapidly becoming my favorite, but that's probably because I like the design of the thing, the texture, color, and contrast.

In the end I'm not so sure that the finished product matters all that much to me. Its done. The journey is over and hopefully I learned something in the process and have made something that someone will enjoy for years to come. Maybe, one day, a 'Pear Bomb' will end up in your life- and you will grow to love it for what it is.

Part of what I enjoy most about making art is sharing it with other people. I especailly love making works for a specific location in a home. Working with other people for what they want in a piece is not just challenging- its deeply satisfying. When I am lucky enough to make art for peoples homes (or offices) I start by discussing what they're looking for in a piece, then I visit their location and get a feel for the space. I take into account how much natural light the area gets, the shape of the room, and the colors it would be alongside. I then spend some time doing rough sketches for them on the spot and laying the foundation for where we will go from there. Typically, I work very closely with my client and we discuss several different ideas before we nail one down. Once that happens the piece can really begin to take shape. Crafting well designed pieces that flow in a space gives me a sense of accomplishment like nothing else can. I strive to make the art works as comfortable as I can, if I can successfully evoke some kind of abstract nostalgia- I consider it a success.

In the past month I started work on a piece for a local couple in White Salmon, Washington. I did a very rough sketch of a multiple panel piece (on the lid of a pizza box!) and then went to work. What I ended up with was a five panel lay out of a tree that would go in the entrance of their home. Here you can see me with the sketch. In the background is the layout of the piece on the wall.

Later I went back to the studio and transferred the layout onto the paneling I'll cut up, carve, and later paint the tree onto. The tree outline is in green and is a very rough gestural drawing. As I work with the image the design develops. Working full scale is always a little bit different.

Green outline

Adding texture and doing additional carving.

all ready for some color!

detail. 

 Soon they will be painted blues and greens, and varnished all up! Super stoked to get them all finished up and installed.  I'll be updating as they progress. Cheers!

 Back in December of 2012 I was fortunate enough to move into a studio in White Salmon Washington. Since then I have been making work aggressively and have had little time to write for my blog. I am making an effort to do a weekly update. I'm going to do a quick background on what I've been up to for the last few months.

This is my desk where the magic happens.

Very beginning of the blue piece.

I began working on wood with texture mediums about two years ago and mainly dabbled in technique and color application and effects. Currently I'm working on a  body of work playing with the idea of predatory flight and freedom through place. My recent work isgreatly inspired by my new(er) home in Husum, Washington.

Living in the Columbia River Gorge is an endless source of inspiration.  I frequently see Red Tail Hawks and Bald Eagles when I'm outside hiking or kayaking, for me these birds of prey evoke a sense of place, of home. Driving to work or to play we are constantly surrounded by beautiful orchards, basalt cliffs, and bending grasses.

Home is very dear to me as I have worn many hats and called many places 'home.' It is my constant shifting of where I call home that drives me to make art. My dwelling is in my heart, as I have gleaned little bits of everywhere I've lived and formed them into my own place that cannot be mapped. 
I am constantly working on ideas and exploring imagery. Below is my studio and the first two (of hopefully many!) pieces based on my life here in the Gorge.

 I hope you enjoy!

Before varnish on top, after varnish on bottom.

More hawks after varnishing.

Commission in the works for a local business owner in Hood River.