Artist's Statement

I don't remember a time that I didn't draw; I began drawing "seriously" in High School and intended to become a Technical Illustrator. Lack of planning and foresight led me to a degree in Architecture, instead of an education in Art. Further distractions, such as "lack of work" led me to an eight-year career in construction; further distractions, such as "lack of work" led me to a career with the City of Portland as a Building Plans Examiner, from which I 'retired' with a medical disability. But the dream never died... I've been a free-lance commercial artist and designer for over 20 years; primarily working on commission for individuals as sort of a "professional hobby." During my college years I exhibited my artwork in a number of non-juried shows, but found little time for "serious" illustration until 1988, when a ruptured appendix and a brush with death caused me to re-evaluate my goals and priorities. I realized that my future wasn't as predictable as it appeared; and that God has given me a talent He intended to be used for the benefit of others. I then decided it was time to get "serious" about my career as an illustrator.

My 'body of work' is fairly eclectic in its nature, and isn't specifically geared toward one type of illustration, nor do I have a particular artistic specialty. My preferred media are graphite and colored pencil; I also use ink, watercolor and acrylic as the need arises. Over the years I have created a large number of wildlife drawings; I also have created a number of portraits. I also create architectural and technical illustrations. I teach art classes for children on an irregular basis; I also have created a number of illustrations for local religious ministries. My current long-term ambition is to become an illustrator of Children's Literature.

It seems appropriate to me that I have chosen an "Apocryphal" text as the title for my "artist's statement"; I am a fairly "apocryphal" Protestant.; in that while I do believe in the Divinely-inspired truth of the Bible, as it is intended in its original manuscripts, I don't believe that God has limited himself to one form of explanation as to His existence. Illustration, at its best, should reflect the nature and character of the illustrator, as well as present the story, idea or message that the author attempts to convey. As a Protestant, I find that I am less of an evangelist, and more of an encourager, or "exhorter" as the Scriptures are usually translated. Consequently, my work tends toward encouragement, or presentation of life as I would like it to be, and perhaps as I feel it was intended to be; rather than a presentation of either a moral or philosophical message, or as a political or sociological statement. I like to 'capture images,' ones that move me with their character or beauty. Although I do, on occasion, create illustrations that are intended to present a statement of life as I perceive it, the majority of my illustrations are intended to simply present to the viewer a moment in time that I wish to share.

I believe that the vast majority of us neglect to enjoy and experience the small moments of life, which often contain the greatest meanings for all of us. In general, if there is a "message" to be found in my work, it is primarily because that message is already present in the viewer, and I have had the experience of presenting it to the viewer.

Published Illustrations

Lucidia A Glimpse of Dualism, E-BookTime, LLC 2005
Cover Art

A Scandal In Bohemia, Steiner Korea 2005
Korean language children’s picture book version of the classic
Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

"The Wolves of Yellowstone" Yellowstone Park Foundation 2005
Illustrations for "electronic field trip" online tour of the Park

The Declaration of Independence, Rourke Publishing, 2002
Illustrated Historical Non-fiction

OREGON AT LAST by Lillian Foreman Scholastic, 2003
illustrated historical easy reader

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE by Melinda Lilly Rourke Publishing, 2002
illustrated historical easy reader

First Heroes for Freedom by Marcia Bjerregaard Silver Moon Press, 2000
illustrated historical novel

Rainbows and Other Promises by Laurie Swinwood New Canaan Publishers; 1999
Cover Art, First Edition

Charlie’s Christmas Challenge by Mimi Shaper, Laird Halling New Hope Publishing
Illustrations and cover art

Miscellaneous technical publications, Bureau of Buildings; Portland, Oregon

Exhibitions

"Small Moments-Greatest Meanings," 2006
Graphite Portraits by Marty Jones
Unto Him Fine Arts Gallery, Newberg, Oregon

"Brachot"/"Blessings"
Sanctuary For the Arts Exhibit 2001
Mittleman Jewish Community Center, Portland, Oregon

"Koinonia" CIVA/NNU Exhibit, 2000
Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho

Drawn To Christ: Cross-Country II; 2000
Weaver Gallery, Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana

National Christian Fine Arts Exhibition, 1999
Farmington, New Mexico

Works of Faith Exhibition 1999
First Presbyterian Church, Portland, Oregon

First Presbyterian Church "Gifts of the Spirit" Exhibit, 1997, 2000
Portland, Oregon

Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Assn. "Sacred Art" Exhibit, 1997,1999
New Ritz Theatre Gallery; Brunswick, Georgia

CIVA "Things to Think On" Exhibit, 1997
Merrick Free Art Gallery; New Brighton, Pennsylvania

Invitational Exhibit, Metropolitan Center for Public Art, 1997, 1998
Portland, Oregon

Featured Artist Exhibit: Wade Gallery, 1996
Portland Building; Portland, Oregon

Mount Angel Abbey Summer Exhibit 1996
Mt. Angel Abbey; Mount Angel, Oregon

SCBWI Featured Artists Exhibit 1996
Beverly Wilshire Hotel; Beverly Hills, California

CIVA Northwest Regional Conference Exhibit 1996
Marylhurst College; Marylhurst, Oregon

LARC Featured Artists Exhibits, 1994; 1996
Stroeff Gallery, Marylhurst College; Marylhurst, Oregon

Various Exhibits, Oregon State University; University of Oregon 1970-1975

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Last Update: 2/25/2008