January/February/March

2008

Collectors Dinner

In October a fantastic group of people gathered together for a unique and memorable evening in Seattle. The commonality that joined us was our mutual love of great art, luscious wine, sumptuous food and lively conversation. Twenty of us gathered together around a lavishly appointed table and I shared about my work and creative vision. Over the course of the evening old friendships were strengthened and new friendships were formed.

I'll be putting together a variety of additional events in various locations for 2008, so if you would like to be notified about upcoming dinners and events send me out an email and I'll make sure to keep you posted.

Recently I've been revisiting my thoughts regarding the relevance that "place" has in my life - specifically here in Walla Walla. I wrote a bit about this last summer while I was in the magnificent mountains of Austria and noted that the familiarity of "place" can cause "blindness" to the rich inspirational value that occurs naturally in all surroundings. With that understanding, I've looked with "new eyes" at my physical surroundings and have continued to contemplate the emotional and spiritual relevance of the vast countryside. I have been developing a new series of paintings that aim to express the vigor, beauty and soulfulness of the Walla Walla Valley. The works are primarily abstract, but they have some structural "rootedness" that point to the traditions of landscape.

Most of the works utilize forms and "imagery" that have been used in my previous paintings and sculptures - but they seem to have originality in this new context. The use of paint on canvas and drawing media on paper serve as a connection to the historic notions of landscape painting but the abstracted structure, invigorated mark-making and emotional color palette give the works a curious spiritually that moves towards the ethereal realms. The works will be exhibited in early February in Walla Walla, Washington at ArtSapce1 and in May in Yakima, Washington at Simon Edwards Gallery.

Upcoming Events

ARTSPACE 1

During the month of February I'll have an exhibition of new works installed at ArtSpace1 in downtown Walla Walla. The exhibition is comprised of new paintings and drawings that explore my observations and reactions to the local Walla Walla landscape. Additionally, there will be some works that continue to investigate and utilize the fragile ginger jar form as metaphor for our humanity. The exhibition will run from February 8th to March 5th. A reception for the exhibition will occur on February 8th.

Artspace 1, 13 1/2 East Main - Suite 201, Walla Walla 99362
February 8, 2008, 5pm -7pm

Foundry Vineyards

The exhibition installed at FV delves into ideas of "blooming" through the use of dimensional glass forms mounted to the wall. The forms are a continuation of earlier work on canvas as well as initial rendering in glass. The work seems to float throughout the interior space and creates unique vignettes at each turn, and when seen from outside at night the venue appears to be an illuminated botanical garden or an imaginary aquarium. The exhibition will continue through winter and spring. A special reception will occur at FV on February 9th.

Foundry Vineyards, 13th and Abadie, Walla Walla 99362
February 9, 2008, 5pm - 7pm

Cheers to the New Year! I must admit I'm already hoping 2008 doesn't slip away as quickly as 2007 did, but I know that is unlikely to be the case. Captain...we're now moving at warp speed. Is it just me, or are you sensing it too? It is my desire to make the best use of the time I have this year - to be focused and intentional with it. With that in mind, I think you'll be pleased to know that I have numerous projects already taking shape in the studio and I'll be releasing a few of them in early February (you can read more about that in the Current Projects section of this newsletter).

In the midst of my new projects I continue to find inspiration in the variety of mediums that I'm working with and find that the crossover of methods and ideas keeps my studio time infused with vitality. Engaging diversity gives me the energy to continue exploring and creating. As I approach a new creation, it's my intention to imbue it with originality and uniqueness that's inspired by my opinions, observations and reactions to the world around me. The very act of painting or sculpting continually teaches me about my environment and myself.

I'm sure I've mentioned this in earlier writings, but I think it is important to reiterate here. In this new year, as I continue to develop my work and the philosophical underpinnings that guide it, it is important to mention that each creation is born of a unique moment or experience. At times the work may look familiar and could be perceived as redundant and stilted or at other times it could look disjointed and out of place with a previous body of work. It can be difficult from year to year to know how a specific work fits with previous creations. Frankly speaking, it may take a good deal of time and space, or an outside perspective to see how everything fits together. So, instead of being concerned about that now, I've chosen to focus on the continued development of current ideas to form a tangible creation that will be engaging to me and to you.

Remember, you're integral to this process as well - so, as we move forward this year I'll continue with the creation of work that truthfully expresses where I am at this moment in time and I ask that you let me know how you experience it. I hold a great deal of optimism when I look forward to an intentionally creative 2008!

Broel @ FV

In the previous newsletter I mentioned that I had been working with Foundry Vineyards (FV) to create a new label for their Artisan Blend red wine. Well, we had a difficult time deciding on a single image for the label, so we concluded that since it was also an artistic endeavor that we would have two labels. Pure creativity! Of course, it has confused people, but hey...that's what you get when you mix art with drinking lots of wine. To learn more about the wines, visit their website at www.foundryvineyards.com

I've recently installed a variety of artwork in the FV tasting room. The space feels very austere and sophisticated. It has clean lines and expansive walls which exhibit the work quite well. If you have an opportunity to visit during the next few months let me know what you think of the installaiton and the wine. If you buy some of the Artisan Blend wines and would like the bottles signed just talk with Jennifer in the tasting room and she will arrange to get them signed.

A man's work is nothing but this slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened.

- Albert Camus