Artist statement
My paintings are mixed media collages on wood panels. I use acrylic paint and mediums, found and prepared paper as well as fabric, spray paint, pencil and inks. Use of various media provides me with multiple possibilities of creative expression. Using compositional techniques I have learned over 30 years as an artist, I explore how images of humans, animals and non-objective abstraction can combine in unusual ways to form narratives and explanations, both whimsical and serious. Tapping into subconscious impulses, I start with multiple ideas and work quickly, changing direction often. I let the paintings mature with each mark, dab or drip. I cover over painted images or highlight them. With each layer of paper and paint meanings change, images merge, scratches are revealing, and a sense of wonder appears. I like to walk on the beach and collect stones that draw my attention. The reason that one pebble is more interesting or unusual than the rest is similar to what draws a person into a painting. I want my paintings to have a quality that the viewer is curious and is drawn into that one image out of all the others. BIO I moved to Chicago in 1991 from California via Utah. When I started making art, I worked with things I found. I built sculptures in my back garden. I painted things I was thinking about. I got involved in the Chicago art scene as it came to me. I played in a few bands, among them Salt Lick with Hannah Howland (who I married). I exhibited paintings at Separate Vision Gallery during Around the Coyote, at Jonathan Lavan + Tony Fitzpatrick's World Tattoo, and at the Gauguin Society's Monkey Ball. I donated a painting to the N.A.M.E.Valentine's Day Benefit Auction in Feb of 1996, which was purchased by the editor of the New Art Examiner. I was a founding member of Grommet Studios. I continued showing in Chicago, and once in St. John USVI, until I moved to France in 2005. I have exhibited in France and continue painting in my studio just south of Paris. |
Solo Exhibitions:
Calizio, Samois-sur-Seine Mixed media works Dec 2018
MUSEart, Chartrettes France Recent Works June 2017
galerie Atelier ARTE, Barbizon France Bruce in Barbizon Sept 2016
MUSEart, Chartrettes France UP close | FAR sight May 2013
No Friction, Chicago IL Room With A View May 2005
Gallery Cabaret, Chicago IL Blinking In The Light of Day May 1995
Freedom Boulevard Gallery, Provo UT Angst and Ambition June 1987
The Jazz Club, Provo UT Mormon Mythology May 1986
Group Exhibitions:
Centre Multiculturel Chartrettes Salon des arts Nov 2018
Centre Multiculturel Chartrettes Salon des arts Nov 2017
Big Bang Group Show, Paris, France Big Bang! Dec 2010
Big Bang Group Show, Fontaine-le-Port Big Bang! Dec 2008
Big Bang Group Show, Samois-sur-Seine Primavera, May 2008
Salon d’arts plastiques Samois-sur-Seine Salon Gerard-Moliere Oct 2007
Salon d’arts plastiques, Bois le Roi, France ART 2007 May 2007
Big Bang Group Show, Samois-sur-Seine Form and Flux, Dec 2006
Salon d’arts plastiques Samois-sur-Seine Salon Gerard-Moliere June 2006
August House, Chicago IL Mnemosyn: Mother of All Muses Oct 2004
N.A.M.E. Gallery, Chicago IL Valentine's Day Benefit Auction Feb 1996
The Art Bar, Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S.V.I. Impressions of the Island January 1995
One Country, Chicago IL Small Art Show December 1994
Separate Vision, Chicago IL Around The Coyote September 1993
World Tattoo Gallery, Chicago IL Art Against Aids Benefit Nov 1992
World Tattoo Gallery, Chicago IL Target Choice Oct 1992
The Monkey Show, Chicago IL The Gauguin Society Show Sept 1992
The Monkey Show, Chicago IL The Gauguin Society Show Sept 1991
Grunts and Postures, Salt Lake City UT All Hands On Dec 1990
Freedom Boulevard Gallery, Provo UT Very Big April 1988
Music:
Flowery Branch Davidians, Chicago IL 1996-2005
Neo Folk Punk - lead singer, songwriter, guitar
Salt Lick, Chicago IL 1992-93
Grunge Quartet - bass
Very Big, Salt Lake City UT 1985-88
Punk band - lead singer, songwriter
Publications:
"Blue Sugar" Photographs Vol 1, Issue 2, 1996
Education:
Brigham Young University
Private collections: Utah, CA, Maine, Paris, Chicago
Calizio, Samois-sur-Seine Mixed media works Dec 2018
MUSEart, Chartrettes France Recent Works June 2017
galerie Atelier ARTE, Barbizon France Bruce in Barbizon Sept 2016
MUSEart, Chartrettes France UP close | FAR sight May 2013
No Friction, Chicago IL Room With A View May 2005
Gallery Cabaret, Chicago IL Blinking In The Light of Day May 1995
Freedom Boulevard Gallery, Provo UT Angst and Ambition June 1987
The Jazz Club, Provo UT Mormon Mythology May 1986
Group Exhibitions:
Centre Multiculturel Chartrettes Salon des arts Nov 2018
Centre Multiculturel Chartrettes Salon des arts Nov 2017
Big Bang Group Show, Paris, France Big Bang! Dec 2010
Big Bang Group Show, Fontaine-le-Port Big Bang! Dec 2008
Big Bang Group Show, Samois-sur-Seine Primavera, May 2008
Salon d’arts plastiques Samois-sur-Seine Salon Gerard-Moliere Oct 2007
Salon d’arts plastiques, Bois le Roi, France ART 2007 May 2007
Big Bang Group Show, Samois-sur-Seine Form and Flux, Dec 2006
Salon d’arts plastiques Samois-sur-Seine Salon Gerard-Moliere June 2006
August House, Chicago IL Mnemosyn: Mother of All Muses Oct 2004
N.A.M.E. Gallery, Chicago IL Valentine's Day Benefit Auction Feb 1996
The Art Bar, Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S.V.I. Impressions of the Island January 1995
One Country, Chicago IL Small Art Show December 1994
Separate Vision, Chicago IL Around The Coyote September 1993
World Tattoo Gallery, Chicago IL Art Against Aids Benefit Nov 1992
World Tattoo Gallery, Chicago IL Target Choice Oct 1992
The Monkey Show, Chicago IL The Gauguin Society Show Sept 1992
The Monkey Show, Chicago IL The Gauguin Society Show Sept 1991
Grunts and Postures, Salt Lake City UT All Hands On Dec 1990
Freedom Boulevard Gallery, Provo UT Very Big April 1988
Music:
Flowery Branch Davidians, Chicago IL 1996-2005
Neo Folk Punk - lead singer, songwriter, guitar
Salt Lick, Chicago IL 1992-93
Grunge Quartet - bass
Very Big, Salt Lake City UT 1985-88
Punk band - lead singer, songwriter
Publications:
"Blue Sugar" Photographs Vol 1, Issue 2, 1996
Education:
Brigham Young University
Private collections: Utah, CA, Maine, Paris, Chicago