As featured artist for the up coming The Billboard Creative show in February titled “We the People” I had the pleasure to do an interview with curator/fabulous photographer Mona Kuhn going in depth on the inspiration for the series and its meaning to me.  

The show features a portrait of my friend Kio Griffith presented on a billboard located in front of Paramount Studios on Melrose Ave. There is an interactive map on The Billboard Creative website.The show will exhibit 30 artist work on billboards across LA. 

Thank you Mona Kuhn for your support and kindness, The Billboard Creative for this wonderful show and Adam Santelli for all your hard work.

I am honored to present 18 portraits from my “con.Text” series in a solo exhibition at the deSaisset Museum on the campus of Santa Clara University.  

Thank you Lauren Baines and Christopher Sicat at the de Saisset Museum for all your hard work and efforts. 

The show opens to the public January 24th – June 17th. 

I will be showing a new portrait of my grandmother that I just finished that that is based on a photograph taken by Dorothea Lange. 

There will be a reception and further programming announced at a later date. 

21 x 24 acrylic on panel 2022

In my fading light series I depict endangered or threatened species as light fades to dark. The light and the dark represents the contrast between hope and despair

27×22 acrylic on panel

In my fading light series I depict endangered or threatened species as light fades to dark. The light and the dark represents the contrast between hope and despair.

“Mt Jade” 29 x 39 acrylic on panel

I was commissioned to do a painting that was inspired by Mount Jade the largest mountain in Taiwan. I chose to depict the mountain and its lush beautiful environment in a piece that juxtaposes the two together. 

“ Mt Jade” will be in a traveling exhibition that will tour 3 cities in Taiwan at the end of the year

Another from my fading light series that highlights endangered species.

Deep Dark blues and greens.

I have been healing from nerve damage in my right arm brought on by overwork. These are the first works in 5 months.

“Whooping Crane” 21×19
from the fading light series using deep deep darks

From my Fading Light series highlighting endangered species.

“Monarch” 20 x 26 acrylic on panel

the dark background is a slow build of transparent glazes to eventually achieve darkness

This is a portrait of Devon. Devon’s grandparents bought a home in the Crenshaw District in 1950, a few years after their illegal imprisonment in the Rowher, Arkansas concentration camp during World War Two. Two years earlier, a portion of the 1913 Alien Land Law was overturned, which enabled Devon’s grandparents the right to buy their 11^th Avenue house. Prior to 1948, their right to buy and own a home would have been compromised by the 1913 Alien Land law which disallowed anyone “ineligible to citizenship” from owning or leasing land in California.  The Alien Land Laws were specifically tailored to restrict property rights for all Japanese living in California.

The marks that compose the portrait are the words from the Webb Haney Alien Act, which was the first Alien Land law from 1913. The second Alien land law came in 1920 and closed existing loopholes

I am honored  that LA Metro/Metro Art commissioned this portrait to be included in their permanent collection. They have been featuring their collection in multi format programs across the county to their ridership.

They will be featuring the work in a show titled  “We Are…Portraits of Metro Riders by Local Artists”.  It will be on view in the Union Station Passage way Art Gallery and online at: 

https://www.metro.net/weare

The show points out the diversity of the community of Metro riders and is presented by Metro Art in collaboration with Metro’s Office of Civil Rights, Racial Equality & Inclusion and the Communication Department.

“Devon” 34 x 27 ink on panel

“Orangutan” 24 x 72

Orangutan in its natural environment in Sumatra as it is being cut up and destroyed