statement

The idea for my series, Omphaloskepsis, was to draw the circle of life, or stages of age, by using the navel as a subject. In conversation with the artist, Lester Van Winkle, I was introduced to the term, "omphaloskepsis." Omphaloskepsis comes from the Greek—omphalos (navel) + skepsis (act of looking, examination)—referring to excessive introspection, self-absorption, and/or concentration on a single issue.  Omphaloskepsis is also called navel-gazing.  The act of omphaloskepsis can lead to spiritual enlightenment in the same way that the process of drawing (perceiving and recording visual stimuli) can contribute to artistic enlightenment.

As I worked on this series, the whole idea shifted from employing the navel as subject matter for depicting the human life cycle to incorporating the concept of navel gazing into the activity of drawing.  The challenge was to let go of "Me" completely.  No-mind, no-thingness, no-expression, and no-creativity allowed the real issue to became a striving for perfection and an understanding of "when to release and let go".        

The quality of awareness inherent in this manner of drawing is similar to the practice of Za-zen (the cross legged sitting position in Zen practice).  In the Za-zen practice, one sits very still for extended periods of time.  The subject, the object, and the mind are just one.  Simplicity is the highest value in the Zen, but it is the most difficult to obtain. In Zen the medium is consciousness itself.

This form of contemplation takes place while standing face to face with the object—with one's self, in unwavering attention.  Seeing-Drawing is "a Way," a discipline of deconditioning.  Like Za-zen, it does not bestow enlightenment but allows the sanity of the original object to break through all the conditions of the "Me", so that one may touch the "inner-most workings of life."

bio

selected awards/honors

Juror's Choice Award for "50th Annual Juried Competition" Masur Museum, Monroe, Louisiana, 2013
Resident Fellow, Full Fellowship Award, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont ,2010

selected publications

WFAA-TV Channel 8: "You Are Watching 10.26 YST, October 27, 2008," Dallas, Texas
The Dallas Morning News: "Halloween's Over; Make Room for Day of the Dead in Dallas," Dallas, Texas, November 1, 2008
ACCENT, Texarkana Gazette-Newspaper: "TAMU-T displays mixed-media work," Texarkana, Texas, February 22, 2013

selected solo or two-person exhibits

Texas A&M University-Texarkana: "Studio 221, Wathena Temple," Texarkana, Texas, 2013
A Space Gallery: "Timeless Window," Commerce, Texas, 2013
Texas A&M University-Commerce, University Gallery: "Omphaloskepsis (Contemplating the Navel)"  Commerce, Texas, 2011
14th Street Gallery: "Listen to the Silence," Plano, Texas, 2008

selected group shows

Masur Museum: "50th Annual Juried Competition," Monroe, Louisiana, 2013
Manifest Gallery: "TAPPED 3," Ohio, Cincinnati, 2012
Plano Art Association: "Sixth Annual 125 Show," plano, Texas, 2011
Moudy Art  Gallery: "28th Annual Art In The Metroplex Exhibition 2010," Fort Worth, Texas, 2010