One of the best things about Portland is that nearly every person you meet is an artist of some kind. And it's cool that there are so many places for us to show work; not only in galleries but in coffee shops, wine bars, music venues, the Goodfoot. Events like First and Last Thursday have given many local artists opportunities to gain an audience and sell paintings. It’s not like that in many other American towns. One thing that I find disappointing about art today is that much of it seems bland and predictable. Many artists seem to have taken their art professors a bit too seriously. I don’t usually care for art that's overly academic or theoretical. Deconstructing art, questioning every convention, discarding all recognizable elements of composition – none of these things has ever inspired me. I’m a simpleminded painter, more interested in reaching out to folks who might not have arts backgrounds but are imaginative and curious: the girl working the checkout counter, the drummer in the local band, the carpenter, my neighborhood bartender. My goal is to create art that appeals to everyday working people.

Exhibits

• I Am Therefore I Think 3 - view pieces (2)