Artist Statement
From the earliest age, I was aware that I had a keen interest and talent in music, however, my interests shifted to visual art when I got to college. After enjoying an Art History class at the University of Pennsylvania, I decided to take a Fine Art Oil Painting class, mostly to learn about technique and process so that I would have more appreciation when I visited museums and galleries in the future. Much to my surprise, I was able to hold my own with the fine arts majors in the class thanks to the excellent teacher, Rackstraw Downes. It was there that I realized a love for painting as well as a talent for light and color that I never knew I had. Despite majoring in economics in the University’s Wharton Business School, I continued to study painting and drawing for three years as well as take a number of other fine arts and art history classes. A Photo Realism exhibit I attended at the Whitney during that period had a profound effect on me. Although several people encouraged me to pursue a career as a painter, I decided to become a television producer instead as I thought that would combine my art and music skills with my business education. That career plan proved worthy as I was fortunate to succeed as either a producer or a talent manager to the stars of television shows like Home Improvement, The Drew Carey Show, Last Man Standing, and Whose Line Is It Anyway as well as such movies as The Santa Clause trilogy. However, I have long been haunted by the thought that I was suppressing a talent once described by my college professor as “a better eye for light and color than Edward Hopper.” What if he was right! So, about six years ago I cut back on my entertainment work in order to explore my longtime interest in painting. This journey has been extremely satisfying, and I feel this visual arts chapter will be a significant contribution to my legacy.
BS in Economics; minor in Fine Arts and Art History
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2020 The Sunset Series, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA 2019
2020 Luminosity, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2016 At Leisure, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2015 Tonality, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2014 Desert Scenes, Melissa Morgan Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018 Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2017 Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2016 Group Exhibition, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2016 Palm Springs Art Fair, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Palm Springs, CA
2015 A Work in Progress, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2014 The Landscape is Dead, Long Live the Landscape! Melissa Morgan Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA
