Preview of a New FIDM Poster

I’m designing this year’s new FIDM poster now... I’m really excited about the concept I created with my colleague Kimberley Askew. We plan to develop an entire integrated campaign in print and online. The posters will be seen in high schools around the country.

Four real FIDM students will be featured throughout the campaign, which will drive our audience to a blog where the students will chronicle their experiences as part of the creative community at FIDM. Our audience wants to be able to imagine themselves at FIDM before they apply for admission, and this is the perfect way for them to see what campus life is like from their own peers.

Campfire Series 2012: Three Nights in Okanogan National Forest, Washington

Campfire Series: May 25, 2012, Okanogan National Forest, First Butte Fire Lookout, North 48.61934 West 120.10805

Matt and I spent the holiday weekend camping in Okanogan National Forest on the east side of the North Cascades in Washington State.

I’ve always loved campfires. Watching a campfire is a great meditation that blurs boundaries, releases old mental patterns, and opens the mind to new ways of seeing.

 We camped at the bottom of First Butte Fire Lookout.

Campfire Series: May 26, 2012, Okanogan National Forest, 8 Mile Creek, North 48.73785 West 120.28925

Each night, we camped at different sites, and I became enamored with the different characteristics of each fire, the placement of the wood, the sparks, the glow... the dance.

Campfire Series: May 27, 2012, Okanogan National Forest, Andrews Creek Trailhead, North 48.78430 West 120.10781

Our third night out, we stayed in the Chewuch River Canyon. My heart was nearly ripped out when we read the interpretive signage describing the Thirtymile Fire that occurred in July 2001. The fire started in a campsite; a camper left his fire unattended and it spread, went out of control, and killed four firefighters within 24 hours. Eleven years later, we could still see evidence of the fire's devastation throughout the canyon, and we plan to hike up the river canyon into the Pasayten Wilderness on our next trip there. Needless to say, we made sure our fires were dead-out before we went to sleep.

Helen Frankenthaler: Favorite Famous Artists / Part 9

Island. 1965.

As seen at Portland Art Museum.

I went to the Portland Art Museum yesterday, and found two Helen Frankenthaler pieces that remind me just how much I love her work. The spontaneity in her mark-making inspires me to my bones!

Spaced Out Orbit. 1973.

As seen at Portland Art Museum.

“A really good picture looks as if it’s happened at once. It's an immediate image. For my own work, when a picture looks labored and overworked, and you can read in it—well, she did this and then she did that, and then she did that—there is something in it that has not got to do with beautiful art to me. And I usually throw these out, though I think very often it takes ten of those over-labored efforts to produce one really beautiful wrist motion that is synchronized with your head and heart, and you have it, and therefore it looks as if it were born in a minute.” —Helen Frankenthaler

I love this quote, because I struggle with the same things in my own work. How much do I try to control the media, and how much do I allow it to control me? When is a piece finished, and when is it overworked? Mmm... Good questions!

Spontaneous: A New Series

 Spontaneous: Jump. Ink on paper. 8x8 inches. 2012.

The amazing spring weather and subsequent abundant flowers blooming all over town inspired this brightly-colored series. The rhododendrons are especially beautiful and vibrant right now, and I’m inspired!

 Spontaeous Series. Ink on paper. 8x8 inches (each piece). 2012.

 Spontaneous: Courage. Ink on paper. 8x8 inches. 2012.

Fabriano Features My Paintings

A few months ago, paper maker Fabriano purchased images of several of my paintings to include in their new paper sample books. I just got my copies in the mail today; they look great!

Graphic designers use these books to spec paper for their large press projects. The sample books show designers the best of what the papers can do with printing effects and inks.

What I love most about this piece is that it combines two of my favorite things—painting and printing.

I am humbled and full of gratitude that these Italian designers (a) found my work, and (b) appreciated its quality and ability to communicate the best of what their papers can handle.

Handpainted Watering Can for Charity

A few weeks ago I was asked (along with about 40 other artists) by a friend at Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network in Denver to custom paint a garden watering can for their upcoming fundraiser. I was honored to be a part of this project, and I hope they rake in tons of cash to help people in need.

The luncheon and auction will be held on May 11, 2012.

To find out more about the project and to register for the luncheon, click here.