Artist Statement
Creating artwork can be a journey of esthetic exploration and self-discovery. Landscape is the vehicle I choose to take that journey and light is always the unifying element. The corporeal light between night and day, light from a consuming fire, light from a distant lantern or an unseen source, all fascinate me and keep calling me back to investigate.
My paintings are reconstructions of another time, spawned from memory, at once real and yet imagined. They are amalgamations, the kind of blending or restructuring of place and situation that revisiting the past creates. I attempt to find a balance between a personal narrative and a broader symbolism. The work must be open enough for the viewer to bring his or her own experience to bear in interpreting the work and it must not entirely answer the questions it asks. The viewer needs to complete the meaning.
What I enjoy most is listening to comments on my work, and how the same landscape can provoke feelings ranging from hope and optimism to a deep sense of loss. Hearing these ideas oftentimes helps me to better understand myself and my work.
Technique
Works are oil or oil and encaustic on panel. Sizes range from 5" up to 5' wide. All frames are hardwood (black cherry, poplar, oak or black walnut), and designed and built by the artist. Some works incorporate gilding in the frames or as a substrate under paint.
Education
M.F.A. University of Wisconsin-Madison 1983
B.F.A. University of Nebraska-Omaha 1980
One Person Exhibitions
2010
Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield, Wisconsin
2008
On Second Thought-Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
2006
Recent Paintings and Prints-Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
2004
From Dusk to Dawn-Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
2002
A Time and Place-Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2001
Kohler Art Center, Art Space, Kohler, Wisconsin
2000
Memory and Light-Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
1999
Past Life-SomerHill Gallery, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
1998
Madison and Points North-Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
1995
Zona Gale Art Center, Portage, Wisconsin
1994
Undercurrents: Traveling Exhibit-Dane County Libraries,Wisconsin
1993
Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin Center, Marshfield, Wisconsin
1989
Natasha Nicholson Works of Art, Madison, Wisconsin
1988
University Club of Chicago Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
1987
Albion College, Albion, Michigan
1986
Printworks Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
1983
Rahr-West Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Selected Exhibitions
2010
Print Portfolio show Overture Center for the Arts, Madison WI,
2009
Traveling Print Portfolio-National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, Kiev, Ukraine
Home sweet home-Memorial Union Galleries, Madison, Wisconsin
2008
Featured artist-Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
UNO Centennial Invitational, University of Nebraska-Omaha
2006
Salon d' Ete-Micaela Gallery, San Francisco, California
8x10: and other small works- Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Up North: Interpretations of North Woods Culture and Mythology-West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, Wisconsin
Featured artist-Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
2004
Featured artist-Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Uneasy Places-Dean Jensen Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Kohler Art Center, Art Space, Kohler, Wisconsin
New Dimensions Gallery, Marshfield, Wisconsin
2003
Wisconsin Artists Biennial-Merit Award, Memorial Union Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
Lure of the Lake-Rahr-West Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Landscapes-University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
2002
Featured artist-Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Waters-Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin
2001
My work and I-Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2000
Three Painters-UNO Art Gallery, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Omaha Nebraska
Singular Visions: 10 Wisconsin Painters at the Academy-Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin
Featured artist-Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
1999
Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
1998
Featured artist-Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Small Treasures-Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
1997
Treasures-Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Enigmatic Landscapes, Cardinal Stritch College Art Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Three person Show-Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
WAB Fellowship Touring Exhibition '97-Seven venues throughout the state
The Collector's Choice-Miller Art Center, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
1996
Ronald Feldman Fine Arts Inc., New York, New York
Benefit Invitational, Momenta Art, Brooklyn, New York
Featured artist-Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Triennial-Madison Art Center
Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1995
Modesty: A Policy-Gallerie Sfeir-Semler, Kiel, Germany
Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
1994
The City Observed-Sordoni Art Gallery, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
1993
Verging on Emergence, Invitational Exhibition--UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Solitary Experiences, Two Person Exhibition--Bradley Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1992
Little Landscapes: The Wide Visions of Eleven Midwestern Painters, Lands' End Corporate Gallery, Dodgeville, Wisconsin
Mini Art Show--Bradley Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1991
Wisconsin 91--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
1990
Wisconsin Triennial--Madison Art Center, Madison, Wisconsin
About Painting: Carlsen, Ripple, McGibbon--Natasha Nicholson Works of Art, Madison, Wisconsin
Apocalyptic Vision--Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa
1989
Group Exhibition--Natasha Nicholson Works of Art, Madison, Wisconsin
Two-Person Show--Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin
1988
20th Annual Midwest Biennial--Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska
Two-Person Show--Milder Art Gallery, University of Nebraska-Omaha
Group Show--Center for Contemporary Art, Chicago, Illinois
1986
Neo-Rustic International Exhibition--Theatre Art Gallery, Design Center of Los Angeles, California
20th National Drawing & Sculpture Exhibition--Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, Texas (Cash Award)
National Print & Drawing Annual--University of North Dakota-Grand Forks
National '86 Small Works Exhibit--Schoharie Arts Council, Cobleskill, New York
60 Square Inches National Small Print Exhibition--Purdue University
The Fifth Year, A Response to Political Issues of Our Time--Third Floor Gallery, Oakland, California
1985
Two-Person Show--Survival Graphics, Madison, Wisconsin
1984
New Talent Group Exhibition--C.A.S.H. Gallery, New York, New York
Works on Paper--Printworks Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
Invitational Exhibit--Center Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
Group Show--Madison Art Center, Madison, Wisconsin
1983
Group Show--Printworks Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
Three-Person Show--Center Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
Finch Prints Invitational--Salt Lake City, Utah
1982
Philadelphia Print Club 58th Annual International Competition--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Invitational Exhibition-Sagamon State University, Springfield, Illinois
UCLA National Student Print Competition (Merit Award)
34th Camera Concepts Exhibition--Madison, Wisconsin
Art Positive International Exhibition of Artists Against Nuclear War, Madison, Wisconsin
1981
17th Midwest Biennial--Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska
Cranbrook Invitational Traveling Print Exhibition--Cranbrook Academy of Art, Detroit, Michigan
Wisconsin Printmakers--St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota
Special Awards and Honors
2010
Selected artist--Dane County Cultural Affairs calendar
2008
Project Evaluator-Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission
Project Evaluator-Madison Arts Commission
Board Alternate-Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission
2006
Visiting Artist Lecture-University of Wisconsin
2004
Wisconsin Percent for Art -Direct Purchase
2001
Selected artist--Dane County Cultural Affairs calendar
1999
Wisconsin Individual Artist Fellowships Selection Committee-Wisconsin Arts Board
Featured on Wisconsin Public Television
Keynote speaker/Awards presenter-The Wisconsin Regional Art Program annual show
1998
Selection committee member -Wisconsin Arts Board Percent for Art Program
1997
Selection committee member -Wisconsin Arts Board Percent for Art Program
1996
Individual Artist's Grant-Wisconsin Arts Board
Featured Artist-Wisconsin Academy Review, Vol.42 Issue 4
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Percent for the Arts committee
C.A.S.E. 5, Speaker/Panel, Chicago, Illinois
1994
Yahara Suite, Project Grant--Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission
Dane County Directory Cover Artist
1992
New works grant--Wisconsin Arts Board
Evaluator for the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission
1991
Chancellor's Featured Artist, UW-Madison
Juror--1991 Art Fair on the Square, Madison, Wisconsin
1990
Wisconsin State Directory Cover Artist
Teaching and Job Experience
1985-Present
Senior Artist, Communications Office, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2005
Visiting Instructor in Lithography, University of Wisconsin-Madison
1990-1991
Visiting Instructor in Lithography, University of Wisconsin-Madison
1983-1985
Preparator of Exhibitions, Madison Art Center, Madison, Wisconsin
1981-1983
Instructor of Record (Basic Drawing and Two-Dimensional Design), University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lectures and Workshops
2008
Encaustic workshop-Edgewood Orchard Gallery
2006
Colloquium Artist-University of Wisconsin-Madison
Drive by Press-Print workshop artist
2003
Visiting Artist-University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
1998
Guest Lecturer-Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors
1997
Guest Lecturer--Upper Iowa University
1996
Guest Lecturer--University of Wisconsin-Madison
1993
Visiting Artist--University of Wisconsin Center, Marshfield, Wisconsin
Guest Critic--University of Wisconsin-Madison
Guest Lecturer--Wisconsin Academy, Madison, Wisconsin
1990
Lecture on Current Work-Madison Art Center, Madison, Wisconsin
Visiting Artist--Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
Guest Lecturer--University of Wisconsin-Madison
1989
Guest Lecturer--University of Wisconsin-Madison
1988
Guest Critic--University of Wisconsin-Madison
1983
Phyllis Bramson-Litho (Printer)
1981
Jim Butler-Etching (Printer)
Mary Jane Ingrams-Etching (Printer)
Tom Majeski-Etching (Printer)
1980
Jack Damer-Litho (Printer's Assistant)
1979
Garo Antrasian-Litho (Printer's Assistant)
Ray George-Litho (Printer)
Illinois State Print Workshop in Lithography
Linda Plotkin-Etching (Printer)
William Walmsley-Litho (Assistant to Printer David Kiester)
Public and Corporate Collections
Wisconsin Governor's Mansion, Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Rayovac Corporation, Madison, Wisconsin
Progressive Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio
Lathrop & Clark S.C., Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Memorial Union, Madison Wisconsin
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Illinois State University-Normal
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of Nebraska-Omaha
University of South Dakota-Vermillion
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Selected Private Collections
Governor Jim Doyle, John & Georgia Wiley, Charles Frazier, Lorrie Moore, Reynolds Price, Tom Garver & Natasha Nicholson, Tom Bamberger, Ruth Kohler, Julilly Kohler, Greg Conniff, Tom Pyle, Mary Alice Wimmer, Bill White & Kathie Nichols
Bibliographies
Painting Suspense, The Capital Times, Friday, February 17, 2006-Kevin Lynch
Uneasy Places, Dean Jensen Gallery, Catalog essay, 2004-Dean Jensen
Toying with qualms, paranoia, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 16, 2004-James Auer
Wisconsin Waters, Wisconsin Academy, Catalog essay, 2002
Singular Visions: 10 Wisconsin Painters at the Academy, Catalog essay, July, 2000-Randall Berndt
Dark, Deep, The Capital Times,Wednesday, February 16, 2000-Kevin Lynch
Revealing the Mystic Land, Wisconsin State Journal, February 1,1998-John Aehl
Wisconsin Academy Review, Essay, Vol.42 Issue 4, September, 1996-Thomas Garver
WAB traveling exhibit, Catalog essay, September, 1996-E. Michael Flanagan
The City Observed: catalog essay, October, 1994-Stanley I Grand
Art Muscle, February/March, 1993-Leslie Fedorchuck
Milwaukee Sentinel, February, 15 1993-Janice T. Paine
Milwaukee Journal, January 24, 1993-James Auer
The Capital Times, Thursday, June 7, 1990-Kevin Lynch
Art Muscle, July/September, 1989-Greg Conniff
Galleries
Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
Dean Jensen Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill, North Carolina