The work possesses a sense of cohesiveness through a delicate balance of elements, setting up a composition that has a fundamental stability while simultaneously having a strong sense of fluidity or movement, as if the finished work is only a moment in time. That paradox is in part what provides interest, drawing the viewer in to further investigate and discover the nuances. Another important aspect is in he naturalness of the marks, gestures and shapes that seem to have been created and exist in a space without pretense. These organic marks and gestures may appear to have little significance on their own but as a collective, they gain a relevance contributing to the unity and content of the work.
The work begins with the first application of paint or mark, without intent. From then on, it is a reactionary process and a quest to create something with integrity and meaning, to understand what it will become. The only ideas are the next step to take. In this process, a painting is built up, layer upon layer, creating a surface with a depth of history and process. This process becomes one of action and discovery. Venturing into the unknown, I can only respond to what is before me and decide whether it needs to go further or not. The goal is to create something which is genuine and honest and having a clear, yet precarious and delicate balance. I have come to realize that even the smallest of gestures or marks have an important role in creating the overall cohesiveness and unity of a composition.
If I may draw a parallel with my work to the human condition, we are all playing a role in humanities development and well-being. On one hand, it may seem an individual has very little to do with that process, but in fact, I know each person is a significant element in our existence. Everyone and everything is connected and has value. This is what I most want to get across in my work. Every element, even the most “insignificant”, plays an important role in the balance and cohesiveness of the whole. I would like viewers to then see themselves, metaphorically, as one of these elements.
I have spent most of my life engaged in aesthetics and design. I have been self employed for 25 years, spending much of that time designing and building custom woodworking and building projects while maintaining my studio practice. Even though these disciplines are different, the principles of design are the same. Because of that, my definition of Art is expansive. There is no doubt they have informed each other. I used to state that my building practice has had the greatest influence on my studio practice. In the last couple years, there has been a shift. My studio practice is much less about a direct influence outside of the studio and has now become more about what my philosophy of art and painting is and how I express that. Given that, I have continued to balance both practices and produce art steadily. Creating is a necessary part of who I am. I am continually questioning and growing. I don’t do well making the same thing over and over. I thrive on a challenge and painting provides a unique gratification.
EDUCATION
University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D.
· Master of Fine Arts, Painting, 1994
· Graduate work in gallery management, 1989-90
· Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting, 1986
EXHIBITIONS
2023:
Upcoming solo exhibit, Ipso Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD, February
2022:
USD Alumni Invitational Exhibit, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion SD, March 11- April 1
ARTcetera, Juried exhibit/auction, Sioux City Art Center, IA, Feb 26 - April 2
2021:
Intuits, two person exhibit, Third Eye Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD, Sept. 3 - 30
SD Governors 9th Biennial, Juried traveling exhibit, March - April 2022
2020:
Local Perspectives, Sioux City Art Center, SC IA, May 15- Aug
251,000 Trees, Maple St. Construct, Omaha NE, curated online collaboration/ exhibit pairing LA and Midwest artists, April 17- April 30
Briar Cliff Review, Sioux City Art Center, group exhibit, SC, IA, April.
Past-Present: Recent Acquisitions in Abstraction, SD Art Museum, Brookings SD, Fe. 29 - July 26
South Dakota Abstraction, SD Art Museum, invitational, 8 artist group exhibit, February 8 - May 10
2019:
Materials, Eide/Dalrymple Gallery, Augustana University, solo exhibit, Sioux Falls, SD, Nov.14 - Dec. 12
White Ribbon, Ipso Gallery, group exhibit, Sioux Falls, SD, Aug. - Nov.
Briar Cliff Review, Sioux City Art Center, group exhibit, SC, IA, April 5 -July 21.
Lucky Number, Ipso Gallery, group exhibit, Sioux Falls, SD, April.
2018:
On The Sunny Side of the Street, solo exhibit, The Coyote Gallery, Vermillion, SD, Dec.
2017:
Modern Arts Midtown Gallery, group exhibit, Omaha, NE, May- June.
Arternative Facts, The Road Gallery, online group exhibit, NY, NY, Mar 23 - June 15.
Nuances, Modern Arts Midtown Gallery, featured artist in small group exhibit, Omaha, Ne, Feb.
2016:
South Dakota Governors 7th Biennial, Traveling exhibit, Aug. - Jan, 2018.
University of Sioux Falls, Solo exhibit, Sioux falls, SD, Aug. 28 - Sept. 22.
Sioux City Art Center Selects, regional juried exhibit, 5 artist group show, Aug. 20 - Dec. 4.
Artcetera, SC Art Center, Sioux City, IA, May 19 - Aug. 7.
Abstract Expressionism, Modern Arts Midtown Gallery, group exhibit, Omaha, NE, May 6 - 27.
Not Really, Ipso Gallery, 3 person exhibit, Sioux Falls, SD, May 6 - July 31.
The Briar Cliff Review Exhibition, SC Art Center, Sioux City, IA, April 21- July 3.
Lucky Number Fundraiser, Ipso Gallery, group exhibit, Sioux Falls, SD, Mar 10 -April 1.
Artmaze, Two day installation happening, Sioux Falls, SD, Jan. 8 & 9.
2015:
The Briar Cliff Review Exhibition, SC Art Center, Sioux City, IA, April 16 - June 28.
The Abstract Show, Modern Arts Midtown Gallery, Omaha, NE. Jan. 9 - Feb. 28.
2014:
South Dakota Governors 6th Biennial Exhibit, Travelling, Sept. 30, 2014- Jan. 20, 2016
Washington Pavilion 2nd Juried Exhibition, Sioux Falls, SD, June 20 – Oct. 5
The Briar Cliff Review exhibition, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA, April 19- May 18.
2013:
Studio 301, group exhibit, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD, Oct. 26- Jan. 6.
Artcetera, group exhibit, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA, April 27- July 28.
Arts Night, group exhibit, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD, Mar.1- May 1.
2012:
University of Sioux Falls solo exhibit, Sioux Falls, SD, Nov. 5- Dec. 5.
Paint a Picture, group exhibit, Ipso Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD, Nov. – Dec.
Washington Pavilion 1st Juried Exhibition, Sioux Falls, SD, Sept. 14 – Dec. 2.
Treasure Box, group exhibit, Ipso Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD, Aug – Oct.
5th Annual South Dakota Governors exhibition, Traveling, May 11, 2012 – June 9, 2013.
Artists Choose Artists, group exhibit, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA, Jan. 21-April 22.
2011: Faculty Exhibit, Wayne State College, Wayne, NE, Sept. 7-Oct. 10.
2010: “River, Mound, Prairie, Sky” group exhibit, Washington Street Art Center, Vermillion, SD, December.
2006: “Family Tree” invitational exhibit, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa, Sept .6 -Nov. 12.
2001: Faculty Biennial Exhibit, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, Oct. 24-Nov. 17.
Local Perspectives 2001, juried exhibit, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA, June 30-Sept. 23.
Wayne State College, solo exhibit, Wayne, NE, January.
1999: “Two Brothers Two Mediums: Works by Rick and Ron Johns”, USD Main Gallery, Vermillion, SD., May.
Coffee Shop Gallery, solo exhibit, Vermillion, SD., October.
1998: Gus Lucky’s Gallery, solo exhibit, Minneapolis, MN., March.
Blue Stem Restaurant, solo exhibit, Sioux City, IA, September-October.
The Rourke Art Gallery, 39th Midwestern Exhibit, Moorhead, MN., June 21-Sept. 20.
1997: Gallery 72 Group Exhibition, Omaha, NE., December.
Pierce Street Coffee Works, solo exhibit, Sioux City, IA, September.
Jonelit Gallery, solo exhibit, Rodgau, Germany, July.
Art of Diversity III, national juried exhibition, An Art Place Inc. Gallery, Chicago, IL Jan.10-Feb. 7.
1996: The Mode Gallery, solo exhibit, Waterloo, WI., Oct. 5-Nov. 30.
Sioux Falls Civic Fine Arts Center, Arts Night exhibit, Sioux Falls, SD., March 8-April 13.
1995: Common Wealth Gallery, solo exhibit, Madison, WI., April 14-23.
Art of Diversity, national juried exhibit, An Art Place Inc. Gallery, Chicago, IL, Jan. 6-Feb. 3
1994: Pierce Street Coffee Works, solo exhibit, Sioux City, IA, June.
MFA Thesis Exhibit, University of South Dakota, March 27-April 10.
Eight State Student Competition, Eastern Montana College, Billings, MT., February.
1993: Third Annual Salon Soiree, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA, March.
Wilber Stilwell Student Award Exhibit, University of South Dakota, March.
Arts On Grand, solo exhibit, Spencer, Iowa, February.
1992: Sioux Falls Civic Fine Arts Center, solo exhibit, Sioux Falls, S.D., Dec.-Jan. 1993.
Second Annual Salon Soiree, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa, March.
Gallery 72 Group Exhibit, Omaha, Neb., March.
Worthington Community College, solo exhibit, Worthington, Minn., January.
1991: 50th Annual Juried Exhibition, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa, March.
XVI Summer Arts Exhibit, University of South Dakota, July.
Coffee Shop Gallery, solo exhibit, Vermillion, S.D., April.
1990: First Annual Salon Soiree, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa, March.
Wilber Stilwell Student Exhibition, University of South Dakota.
1986: BFA exhibit, University of South Dakota, May.
1985: X Summer Arts Exhibit, USD, Vermillion SD, July
HONORS AND AWARDS
Recipient of NE Percent for Art Projects Permanent Collections, University of NE, Kearney, 2021.
Runner up, 6th Biennial Governors Art Exhibition, Travelling, Sept. 30, 2014- Jan. 20, 2016.
South Dakota Arts Council grant recipient, “Artist Career Development Grant” 2015 Fiscal Yr.
Honorable Mention, Washington Pavilion 1st Juried Exhibition, S.F., SD, Sept.14- Dec. 2, 2012.
Best of Show, Local Perspectives, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa, June 30-Sept. 23, 2001.
South Dakota Arts Council grant recipient through the Vermillion Area Arts Council for mural in downtown Vermillion, SD, 2001
Purchase Award, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa, 1993.
Best of Show, Wilber Stilwell Student Exhibit, University of South Dakota, 1993.
Faculty Award, Wilber Stilwell Student Exhibit, University of South Dakota, 1990.
Louis Hanson Scholarship, University of South Dakota, 1986.
COLLECTIONS
SD Art Museum, Brookings, SD
Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA
University of NE, Kearney, Kearney, NE
Multiple Private Collections, Regionally and Internationally.
MURALS AND OTHER WORK
Mural on Historic Fourth Street, collaboration with Paul Chelstad, Sioux City, Iowa, 2004.
Prairie Dog Quest Public Arts Project, participant, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa, 2002.
Mural in downtown Vermillion, South Dakota Arts Council grant recipient, 2001.
Dick Termes Mural Restoration Project, Community Coordinator/ Director, Vermillion, 1998.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Instructor, Wayne St. College, Wayne, Neb.
· Introduction to the Visual Arts, 2011-12
Instructor, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D.
· Sculpture II: Intermediate Woodworking, 2007
· Drawing I,2002
· 2–D Design I, 2000-2001
· Art Appreciation, 1992-1993
PUBLICATIONS
Briar Cliff Review,Volume 26,
2014
Briar Cliff Review, Volume 10, Spring 1998, Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, Iowa.
LECTURES/PRESENTATIONS
Artists and Authors Series presentation, Vermillion public library, Vermillion, SD, Jan. 8, 2014
Pecha Kucha Night, Sioux Falls Design Center, Sioux Falls, SD, Dec. 7, 2012
RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
Scenic Director/Artist, Vermillion Community Theater, Vermillion, S.D., 2008, 2010.
Vermillion Area Arts Council board member, 1998-2001.
Gallery Assistant, University Art Galleries, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, 1985-1994.
Gallery Assistant, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa, 1989-1991.