Artist at Sea Residence

These drawings, paintings and mixed media works began while I was an artist in residence on the Sally Ride, a Scripps vessel conducting research on plankton in the Pacific Ocean in the summer of 2018. This research is a collaboration with the University of Oregon, Oregon State, Humboldt State,  Portland State, NOAA, National Science Foundation and the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology. As their artist in residence, I am producing work that blends large-scale painting with digital media projection for an exhibition.

I get my inspiration for art from working in the field. I was out at sea for 10 days traversing East to West back and forth, 24 hours a day off of the coast of Newport, Oregon and then Trinidad Head in Northern California. My main job on board was to be immersed in the work that biologists, scientists and engineers do. Later I began sketching  and creating designs that would juxtapose the microscopic plankton world, with vast ocean horizon; the modern human instruments with the organic specimens and landscapes.

 

Ecological and Mural Workshop at the Ballard Locks in Seattle.

 


Explaining the concept of Toxics Entering our Waterways:
The ecosystem and then our human activities that allow molecules such as pesticides and heavy metals that affect our Salmon and water quality we drink.
Working with the Girl ScoutsVolunteers are awesome

I want to thank Camas Ridge Elementary for giving me the opportunity to be the artist for this project. I also want to thank all the students for participating. We can all say that this is our mural!

In the Spring of 2014 we met during "community time classrooms" to sketch, brainstorm and develop the design. During the Summer I purchased the materials, finalized the design and drew the black outlines. When School began in the Fall every student had an opportunity to paint and help on the creation of the artwork. This has been one of my most successful projects because I was able to work with the entire student body of 420 students. Together with the helping hands of volunteers we all colored the panels using a mixture of acrylic paints and a waterproof polyuratene, which created a permanent watercolor aesthetic.

This mural, 'The Triangle of Values' was installed and unveiled in the front entrance of the school with a musical celebration.

Downtown Languages Mural Painting in Springfield, Oregon. 2014