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Statement
I primarily work with watercolor and inks, largely focusing on plein air landscapes, life drawing, and illustrations. Plein air painting is a style done on location--often outdoors--with challenging conditions such as changing light and shadow, weather, temperature, and difficult terrain. Packing up an easel, paints, water, sunscreen, and snacks, plein air painting is typically an enjoyable experience to interact with and appreciate our world without a screen. As an illustrator, getting to create and get absorbed into fantastical natural worlds with imagined characters is a joy all it's own. Working with writers to develop their vision for characters and world-building allows for collaborative storytelling to unfold and connect with audiences.
bUG bEAN cREATIVE, LLC
When registering a business, and in this case a limited liability corporation (LLC), I chose Bug Bean Creative. This name refers to my cat, whose nickname is Bug and he has the cutest little toe beans! Using the term 'creative' was a very intentional choice I used to remain a versatile artist why offering a variety of services. I have dabbled in many creative endeavors and intend to continue doing so. Like many other creatives, I spent many years undervaluing my work and now that part of the journey is behind me. Calling myself simply an artist, painter, illustrator, etc. undervalues the variety of art making skills I can offer. I have a passion for building collaborative relationships with clients and contribute to bringing their vision to life.
Artist Bio
My artistic journey, like many others, began as a child with doodles and coloring books. Animated entertainment and newspaper comics such as 'Calvin and Hobbes' provided a great deal of inspiration to me. I earned a Bachelors in Fine Arts from College of Idaho in the wake of a recession, where I was poised to create opportunities within the community of creatives. This led to watercolor illustration and comic book publishing with Mystery House Comics and hosting monthly Drink & Draw events. I collaborated with talented artists and writers in the Boise, Idaho area and worked within the sequential storytelling artform. All the while, painting outdoors landscape scenes of the high desert in between. Mystery House Comics dissolved in 2019 serendipitously before the pandemic encouraged a boom in plein air painting opportunities.
Starting in 2020, I shifted to watercolors and inks, largely focusing on plein air landscapes, life drawing, and illustrations. Having spent my formative years in an economically depressed area with a great deal of public lands has influenced much of my work both in commentary and composition. This lifestyle set the stage for my love of painting plein air. Connecting with the outdoor world where nature and modern society collide is a unique and life-affirming experience. Being in one spot for a few hours provides unlikely experiences with people, animals, and nature that are enriching to my life. I believe that many many modern Americans are disconnected from the environment and ultimately suffer when screens and algorithmic feeds feel more appealing. My creative journey hopes to connect and communicate with others who may be wrestling with what it means to live in these techno-feudalist modern times.
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