Artist Statement

Photo by Harvey Tillis.

My body of work focuses on semi-abstracted landscapes, with an emphasis on color relationships that are used to create a dream-like feeling.

To create this mood, I work with subtle or toned-down colors, and layer-upon-layer of cold wax and oil, intermixed with Galkyd, which adds luminosity. Often, these pieces on wood panel will contain 20 or more layers, varying between thin glazes and thick wax applied with a palette knife. Attention to color relationships in order to create harmony, continues to remain a focus of all my paintings.

I additionally create original abstracted works on paper with cold wax, galkyd, oil, and oil sticks. These pieces are intuitively created from live jazz performances at The Fulton Street Collective.

Beginning my formal studies in 1989 at The University of Chicago, I have worked on figure drawing, watercolor, acrylic, and oil. I have worked under Janis Pozzi-Johnson for several years and consider her a major influence in my work as both a teacher and mentor. I have also studied at The Museum of Modern Art, The Smithsonian Institute, The Evanston Art Center, The North Shore Art League, and The Winslow Art Center.

Further influences include J.W. Turner, Claude Monet, Joan Mitchell, Gerhard Richter, Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, and my grandfather, Albert Dierberger.

Press & Events:

Solo & Two-Person Exhibitions:

2023 J. Andrews Salon, "Art Show," Chicago, Illinois.

2023 The Fulton Street Collective, “Kaleidoscope Art Opening,” Chicago, Illinois.

2021 ARCH, "Art Attack," Winnetka, Illinois.

2020 The Fulton Street Collective, "'In the Moment': A Virtual Backdrop Exhibition," Chicago, Illinois.

Group Exhibitions:

2023 Rostrum “312,” Bridgeport, Illinois.

2022 Red Bluff Art Gallery, "Flowers 4 Peace and Prosperity," International Show, Corning, California.

2021 Woodstock Fine Arts Center, "Real People," International Juried Show, Woodstock, Illinois.

2021 Arch/Fletcher & Fork Gallery, four-person exhibition, Winnetka, Illinois.

2021 The Fulton Street Collective, “Abstractions,” Chicago, Illinois.

2021 The Fulton Street Collective, “The Color Red,” Chicago, Illinois.

2021 The Fulton Street Collective, "Shades of Black & White," Chicago, Illinois.

2020 The Fulton Street Collective, "Divine Femininity," Chicago, Illinois.

 2019 Hubbard St. Lofts, "Open House," Chicago, Illinois.

Selected Public Collections:

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Prairie Capital LP, Chicago, Illinois.
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Workbox, Chicago, Illinois.
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Private Collections across The United States and Europe.

Markets & Bazaars:

2022 Chicago Shakespeare Theater "Holiday Artisan Market," Chicago, Illinois.

2021 Chicago Shakespeare Theater "Holiday Artisan Market," Chicago, Illinois.

2020 The Fulton Street Collective "Holiday Art Market," Chicago, Illinois.

2020 Chicago Shakespeare Theater "Holiday Artisan Market," Chicago, Illinois.

2020 The Hideout "Holiday Sale," Chicago Illinois.