Statement
I construct images and objects that abstract the human form, landscape, and man-made structures to reveal a connected existence. Our physical bodies are our vehicles for lived experience; they materially bind us to the natural world and the causal mechanisms that govern its processes. By dissolving the figure into visceral remnants and merging it with matrixes of natural and artificial forms, I explore the complexity of our burdened existence in nature and perceived free will.
I construct images and objects that abstract the human form, landscape, and man-made structures to reveal a connected existence. Our physical bodies are our vehicles for lived experience; they materially bind us to the natural world and the causal mechanisms that govern its processes. By dissolving the figure into visceral remnants and merging it with matrixes of natural and artificial forms, I explore the complexity of our burdened existence in nature and perceived free will.
Biographical Information
I am originally from the rural community of Selah, WA. I began my academic pursuits at Yakima Valley Community College and continued to Central Washington University where I received a BFA in Jewelry Metalsmithing. During this time I participated in a National Student Exchange program which allowed me to study glassblowing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI for one year. After completing my BFA, I worked in the glass industry in Portland, OR as a glassblower, flame worker, and kiln fabricator for several years before attending graduate school at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. While earning my MFA I focussed on both painting and sculpture and developing a thematic unity in my studio practice.
I have worked as instructor of Design, Drawing and Sculpture and at the University of Idaho and as affiliate faculty at Metropolitan State University Denver where I instructed Beginning, Intermediate (Mixed Media), and Figure Drawing. In addition, I have taught as an adjunct instructor at Heritage University teaching Beginning Drawing, Drawing 2, and Advanced Topics Mixed Media. Currently, I work as part-time faculty at Yakima Valley College where I instruct Beginning Drawing at the Grandview campus and online. You can view examples of my students' work at mlteachingportfolio.com
My background in visual arts includes a wide variety of materials and disciplines. I explore the human figure, animal anatomy and landscape in paintings, drawings, and three dimensional objects. Most of my work alludes to my interest in causality, perception of lived experience, and deep fascination with the natural world.
I am originally from the rural community of Selah, WA. I began my academic pursuits at Yakima Valley Community College and continued to Central Washington University where I received a BFA in Jewelry Metalsmithing. During this time I participated in a National Student Exchange program which allowed me to study glassblowing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI for one year. After completing my BFA, I worked in the glass industry in Portland, OR as a glassblower, flame worker, and kiln fabricator for several years before attending graduate school at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. While earning my MFA I focussed on both painting and sculpture and developing a thematic unity in my studio practice.
I have worked as instructor of Design, Drawing and Sculpture and at the University of Idaho and as affiliate faculty at Metropolitan State University Denver where I instructed Beginning, Intermediate (Mixed Media), and Figure Drawing. In addition, I have taught as an adjunct instructor at Heritage University teaching Beginning Drawing, Drawing 2, and Advanced Topics Mixed Media. Currently, I work as part-time faculty at Yakima Valley College where I instruct Beginning Drawing at the Grandview campus and online. You can view examples of my students' work at mlteachingportfolio.com
My background in visual arts includes a wide variety of materials and disciplines. I explore the human figure, animal anatomy and landscape in paintings, drawings, and three dimensional objects. Most of my work alludes to my interest in causality, perception of lived experience, and deep fascination with the natural world.
CV
Education
2013-2016 MFA-Painting & Sculpture, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
2003-2007 BFA-Metals & Jewelry, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA
2004-2005 National Exchange Student-Glassblowing, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
2000-2002 Associates of Arts, Yakima Valley Community College, Yakima, WA
Teaching Experience
2022-present Adjunct Instructor, Yakima Valley College, Yakima, WA
(Beginning Drawing Online, Beginning Drawing Hybrid Grandview Campus)
2021 Adjunct Faculty, Heritage University, Toppenish, WA: Drawing
(Beginning, Intermediate, and Mixed Media Drawing)
2017-2019 Affiliate Faculty, Metropolitan State University, Denver, CO: Drawing
(Beginning Drawing, Figure Drawing, Intermediate Drawing)
2017 Foothills Parks and Recreation, Littleton, CO: Youth Arts
2016 Instructor of Record, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID: Beginning Sculpture
2013-2016 Instructor of Record, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID: Art & Design Foundations
(Drawing I, Drawing as Integrated Design Thinking, Design Processes)
2013-2016 Teaching Assistant, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID:
(Contemporary Art Theory,Figure Drawing, Mixed Media, Art Education, Senior Thesis)
Selected Awards
2022 Lilian and Muriel Adams Award, Central Washington Artist Exhibit, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
2015 GPSA Travel Grant, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
2015 Harriet Shrontz Scholarship, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
2012 Sheryl Hahn Award, Central Washington Artist's Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
Best of Show, 45th Annual Juried Art Exhibit, Peggy Lewis Gallery, Yakima, WA
Fern Sorensen Best in Handwork, Adorn the Form, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
2006 Phineaus Arthur, Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
2005 Honorable Mention, Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
2003 Honorable Mention, CWU Student Exhibition, Sarah Spurgeon Gallery, Ellensburg, WA
2001 Best of Show, YVCC Student and Faculty Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
Selected Solo & Two Artist Exhibitions
2019 Connections, Boxx Gallery, Tieton, WA
2018 Causality,Yakima Maker Space, Yakima, WA
2017 C-Squared Gallery, Lakewood, CO
2015 Nectar, Moscow, ID
2014 Reflections Gallery, Moscow, ID
Oak Hollow Gallery,Yakima, WA
2012 Water Avenue Commerce Center, Portland, OR
Radio Room, Portland, OR
5 North,Yakima, WA
The Seasons, Yakima, WA
2011 Corragio Group, Portland, OR
Selected Exhibitions
2023 DoVA Student and Faculty Exhibition, Yakima Valley College, Yakima WA
Life & Death, Gallerium, Online Exhibition (Juried)
2022 Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juror: Katie Buckingham)
Artebella Artist Studio Tour, Yakima, WA
2021 Visiting Artist Show, Heritage University Virginia Hislop Gallery, University, Toppenish, WA
My Body My Truth, Dog & Pony Art Space, Spokane, WA (Curated: Assoc. of Hysteric Curators)
2019 Own an Original, Littleton Museum, Littleton, CO (Juror: Gwen Chanzit)
Colorado Local, Miller and Rossi, Denver,CO (Curated)
MSU Faculty and Staff Exhibition, Center for Visual Art, Denver, CO
2018 Drawn to the Figure,Arts Longmont, Longmont, CO (Juror: Zoey Frank)
2016 Dark & Obscure, Art Gym, Denver, CO (Curator: Michael Keen)
Amalgam, University of Idaho Pritchard Gallery, Moscow, ID
2015 Blickpunkt/Viewpoint, Takt Gallery, Berlin Germany (Curated)
MFA In Progress Exhibition, Ridenbaugh Gallery, Moscow, ID (Curated)
2014 University of Idaho MFA Exhibition, WSU Museum of Art: Gallery 2, Pullman, WA (Curated)
2012 Central Washington Artist's Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juried)
Fifty Squared, Peggy Lewis Gallery, Allied Arts, Yakima, WA (Curated)
45th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Peggy Lewis Gallery, Allied Arts Yakima, WA (Juried)
Adorn the Form, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juried)
2011 Pacific Northwest Art Annual, Cultural Forum, Eugene, OR (Juried)
2009 The Senses, 100th Monkey Studio, Portland, OR (Curated)
2007 Conspirators in Metal, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA (Curated)
2006 Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juried)
2005 Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juried)
Professional Experience & Residency
2015 Takt Kunst Projektraum, Berlin, Germany: Artist Residency
2012-2019 Private Art Tutor, Yakima, WA and Denver, CO: Tutor for Children in Art
2008-2011 Savoy Studios, Portland, OR: Glassblowing and Metal Shop Assistant
2007 Conspirators in Metal, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA: Co-Curator
Volunteer Experience
2017 40 West Arts District Mural Fest, Lakewood, CO: Mural Artist for C-squared Studios
2012-2013 Larson Gallery Board of Directors, Yakima, WA: Publicity and Exhibitions Committees
2012 Ready by Five, Yakima, WA: Adult ESL Conversation Partner
2011 Space Craft Mission to Arts, Portland, OR: Summer Youth Workshops
Lectures
2015 Visiting Artist Lecture, Symbolizing in Chains, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
2014 Visiting Artist Lecture, The Body is Connected, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Collections
Larson Gallery Permanent Collection, Yakima, WA
Doug and Laurie Kanyer Private Collection, Yakima, WA
Chelsea Cain Private Collection, Portland, OR
Halley Newhouse Private Collection, Sunnyside, WA
