Florida Artists Group

Artists Bio:


Artist Statement:

My work interprets contemporary Florida with historical materials. I work in oils, bamboo brush and ink, silverpoint on gesso panels. I'm interested in tangible qualities that emphasize the nature of the materials while revealing the artist's hand.
My panels are completed en plein air. The site locations in my work are throughout Pinellas County, FL. The sites are natural, urban and industrial. The are places a local would know, and would pass by on foot. Even the swamps are small tracts between residential and commercial development.
A sitting lasts about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. A painting may take weeks to months to complete depending on scale and complexity. Occassionally I will re-visit a painting the following year, when the surface is again workable.
The underdrawing and painting are layered responses the site conditions. Due to changes over time on site, the underdrawn and painted layers are often contradictory. This is part of the process, the organic nature of working en plein air. I want the viewer to share in the experience on site.


Exhibitions:

Select Solo Exhibitions:

2018          Green Library Gallery, Florida International University, Miami, FL
2015          Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach, FL
2015          John Brock Art Alcove, Palm Harbor Public Library, FL
2015          Safety Harbor City Galleries, FL
2014          Kotler Art Gallery, John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa, FL
2014           American Stage Theatre, St. Petersburg College Downtown Campus, FL
2013           Oldsmar City Hall, Oldsmar, FL
2012           Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Tarpon Springs, FL
2011           The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Everglades National Park, FL
2010           Octagon Arts Center, Clearwater, FL
2003          Daytona Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona, FL
2001          Dale Mabry Campus Art Gallery, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL
2000          Safety Harbor City Hall and Public Library, FL
1999           African Art Gallery & Museum, Tampa, FL
1999           Galerie Nouvel Esprit at the US/Africa Foundation, Tampa, FL
1998           Yerby Conference Center, University of Mississippi, MS

Two Person Exhibition:

2002           Tarpon Springs Cultural Center, FL

Select Group Exhibitions:

2016           von Liebig Arts Center, Naples, FL
                    Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin, FL
2015           Pasco Arts Center, Holiday, FL
2014           Dunedin Fine Arts Center, FL
2014           Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Tarpon Springs, FL
2013           Brighthouse Corporate Offices, St. Petersburg, FL
2012           Pasco Arts Center, Holiday, FL/Best in Mixed Media, Juror: Kevin Grass
2011           Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin, FL
2010           Harrison Gallery, Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland, FL
2009           Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL
2008           Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Largo, FL
2003           Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Largo, FL
2001           The Puffin Cultural Forum, Teaneck, NJ
1993           September Competition, Alexandria Museum of Art, LA

Awards and Grants:

2014-15      Gottlieb Foundation Individual Support Grant
2010           AIRIE Artist-in-Residency, Everglades National Park
2009-10     Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant
2009-10     Puffin Foundation Grant
2007-08    Pinellas Cultural Affairs Individual Artist Professional Development Grant
1999, 2002, 2004 Puffin Foundation Grant
1999-2000 Florida Individual Arts Fellowship Honorable Mention
1998-1999 Pinellas County Artist Resource Fund

Commisions:

Solid Inspiration Publishing, Brandon, FL
United Federation of Teachers, New York, NY

Collections:

City of Gulfport, FL
City of Tarpon Springs, FL
Everglades National Park
Florida International University, School of International and Public Affairs
Jonathan Green Collection
St. Petersburg College Foundation

Education:

University of Mississippi, MFA, 1997
The Cooper Union, BFA, 1989

Profefssional Experience:

2014-present         Art Instructor, Safety Harbor Museum and Cultural Center, FL
2009-present        Drawing Instructor, Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin, FL
2009-2015             Drawing Instructor, Pasco Arts Center, Holiday, FL
2013-2014              Adjunct Instructor, Fine Arts Department, St. Petersburg College, FL
2009-2010             Drawing Instructor, Beach Arts Center, Indian Rocks Beach, FL
2008                        Artist-in-Residence, VSA Arts of Florida (March, PARC, St. Petersburg; October, Cotee                                     River Elementary School, Pasco County)
2007-2008             Artist-in-Residence, Youth Arts Corps at the Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Largo, FL
2007                        Drawing Instructor, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL
2005                        Picture Framer, Bill Hartman Gallery, Sarasota, FL
2003, 2008            Painting and Drawing Instructor, Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Largo, FL
2001-2010              Painting and Drawing Instructor, Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL
2001                         Adjunct Instructor, Lifelong Learning Program, St. Petersburg Junior College, FL
1990-1992               Picture Framer, Bark Frameworks, Inc., New York, NY
1989-1990               Freelance Art Handler, Brooke Alexander Editions and Nolan Eyckman Gallery

Organizations:

Pasco County Arts Council 2009-2011
Morean Arts Center 1999-2011
Gulf Coast Artist Alliance, Inc. 2009-2010

Bibliography and Publications:

805 Lit + Art Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1, 2015
http://media.wix.com/ugd/60593c_7e86c2fcd3914a4aab3526f55ae315e9.pdf
Byrne, Maureen. "Capturing slavery: An exhibit in Tarpon Springs offers an artistic glimpse into the history of the freedom movements of the 18th and 19th centuries, " St. Petersburg Times/Weekend Diversions (September 3, 1993).
Marger, Mary Ann. "Fall brings new shows," St. Petersburg Times/Art Beat (September 24, 1999), p. 30.
Miller, Michele. "The opportunity to create: Special-needs kids get artistic instruction and a chance to exhibit their work," St. Petersburg Times/Pasco County Edition (October 8, 2008), p. 4.
Schulte, Eileen. "African tribute: Get a look at West African history, art and culture through a monthlong series of exhibits, movies and performances in Tarpon Springs," St. Petersburg Times/Weekend Diversions (September 13, 2002).
Story, Alice B. "Competition is a good place to lose yourself," Alexandria Daily Town Talk (September 3, 1993), C and C-3.