I work primarily in mixed media. In one way my subject matter is an evolution of the thought process. My subject matter is an evocation resulting from a visceral reaction to life’s situations, philosophical beliefs, and bits of information that I may hear or read. These things start a thought process that I feel compelled to address in my work. Although upon initiating a piece I often have a specific agenda or theme, I frequently allow my materials to guide me towards a statement that may be completely unrelated to my original intent. The statement becomes an evolution of the creative process. The finished pieces are a result of combining both the creative process and introspection, and represent glimpses of my thoughts, ideas, emotions, and philosophies.
I am intrigued by the emergence and submergence of words and images in the painting process, and how it parallels thoughts and ideas that emerge from, or are submerged in, our own consciousness. Just as we form these thoughts, ideas, and philosophies by building layers of information and “scraping away” what we deem unnecessary or invalid, so I do with paint, symbols, words, and images. The contradicting aspects of religion versus existentialism, rational thought versus irrational thought, the conscious versus the subconscious, and the intentional versus the “accidental” are themes I frequently deal with. How much of what we do is conscious choice? How much of what we think and do is influenced by, or perhaps even “controlled” by mass media, religion, or political ideologies? How often are we blindly conforming to the “herd mentality”?
My formal art studies began at Sacramento State University under the instruction of artists such as Joan Moment, Jimi Suzuki, and, primarily, Oliver Jackson. Upon graduating I traveled to Europe to pursue an independent art study project. I lived and worked in London for a time before returning to the United States.
After taking a workshop with Inez Storer, I took a strong interest in mixed media, which became the primary focus of my work. I studied ceramics with Susan Honatalus and continue to explore with clay.
I have shown my work in various venues around the San Francisco Bay Area and the United States and have received awards of recognition in several of these. I was a recipient of a 2000 Marin Arts Council Individual Artists Grant.
Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, Ca. 1991 Single Subject Teaching Credentials in Art.
Sacramento State University, Sacramento Ca. 1983 BA Art; Deans List.
2023 First Friday Art Walk, Sotheby’s Bend, OR
2023 ‘EXTINCTION,’ Gallerium, Biafarin online group exhibition and publication
2023 ‘EARTH,’ Exhibizone, Biafarin online group exhibition and publication
2022 ARTISTONISH: Contemporary Arts Online Exhibit and Magazine December 2022
2013 Sylvia White Gallery: SOLO EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITY, VENTURA CA
2012 Group Exhibibtion, Rogue Community College, Grants Pass, OR
2006 ”UNCAGED” Red Herring, Novato Arts Center, Novato, Ca
“CAGED” Red Herring, Gallery One, Petaluma, Ca
2005 “RED HERRING” Hanger 12, Novato Arts Center, Novato, Ca
“PRIMARILY RED” juried exhibition Artisans Gallery, Mill Valley, Ca.
2004 “PORTALS AND PASSAGES” juried exhibition Indian Valley Artist Gallery, Novato, Ca
2003 5th ANNUAL FACE 2 FACE INTERNATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION,
Merrick, New York
2002 ARTSBRIDGE AT PRALLSVILLE MILLS 8TH ANNUAL NATIONAL JURIED SHOW, Lambertville, New Jersey
FALKIRK 2002 ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION OF MARIN ARTIST, San Rafael, Ca
2001 INDIAN VALLEY ARTISTS ANNUAL MEMBERS EXHIBITION, Novato, Ca.
ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION OF MARIN ARTISTS, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, Ca.
2000 MILL VALLEY ARTS COMMISION, Juried Exhibition-two person show, City Council Chambers, Mill Valley, Ca.
1999/2000 INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS GRANTEE SHOWCASE, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, Ca.
1999 “MARIN ART FESTIVAL AT THE CIVIC CENTER LAGOON,” San Rafael, Ca.
“IVA AT THE MARIN CIVIC CENTER,” Juried exhibition, Civic Center , San Rafael, Ca.
“IVA 9TH ANNUAL MEMBERS EXHIBITION,” Hamilton, Novato, Ca.
1998 “NOT JUST ANOTHER LANDSCAPE SHOW,” Dillers Café, San Rafael, Ca.
“FOOD SHOW,” Dillers Café, San Rafael, Ca.
“HOMAGE AND INSPIRATION,” Sebastapol Center for the Arts Juried Exhibition, Sebastapol, Ca.
“COLORS OF SUMMER,” Indian Valley Artists Juried Exhibition, Corte Madera, Ca.
“NORTHERN NATIONAL COMPETITION,”LRC Gallery, Nicolet College, Rhinelander, Wi.
“TRANSITIONS,” Marin Community Foundation, Juried Exhibition, Larkspur, Ca.
1997 “CREATIVE EYE,” Indian Valley Artists Members Show, Corte Madera Ca.
“PERSONAL VISION,” Indian Valley Artists Juried Exhibition, Corte Madera, Ca.
“NOVATO ART AND WINE FESTIVAL,” Juried Exhibition, Novato, Ca.
“MARIN COUNTY FAIR,” Juried Exhibition, San Rafael, Ca.
“WORD AND IMAGE,” Artisans Gallery, Juried Exhibition, Mill Valley, Ca.
“INDIAN VALLEY ARTISTS 8TH ANNUAL SHOW,” Corte Madera, Ca.
2001 ARTISANS GALLERY “Sacred Images” Juried Exhibition – Merit Award
2001 MARIN COUNTY FAIR – Merit Award
2000 MARIN ARTS COUNCIL LEONARD AND BERYL BUCK TRUST OF THE MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANT
1998 NORTHERN NATIONAL COMPETITION – Northern National Competition Donor Award
1997 MARIN COUNTY FAIR – Honorable Mention
Rae Miller, Novato, Ca
Roger and Deana Curtis, Folsom, Ca
Guest lecturer at San Francisco Community College
