Artist Statement, February 23, 2026

So does it come to me now

I am an elder, four score and four years, eight decades, all of my days devoted to creativity. A kind of immortality it seems, hundreds of paintings and drawings, scores of sculptures large and small in wood, in bronze and copper all out in the world, a sharing of my gift, a spiritual sacred responsibility. Music, I have written and composed hundreds of songs, music theater, one hundred and twelve recorded tracks uploaded on SoundCloud, non commercial independent tracks, “indies”. At this date, I have had four thousand, nine hundred and ninety-one plays world wide on SoundCloud. I have written/composed three music theater plays, one in progress, “Primal Beginning” to be performed by our band, Primal Beginning, May 14, 2026 at Azule Artist Residency, Hot Springs, North Carolina.

I have been dedicated through all of my working life to sharing my knowledge and skills of the creative process to young people. In my early adult life I was on the faculty of Antioch College, land use planning and city architecture. Recently, I was artist in residence at Lowcountry Technical College. There are thirty of my paintings and illustrations installed at TCL in the Learning Resources Center.

As I approach the end of my days, I have in my personal collection thirty or so paintings, hundreds of drawings, twenty or so sculptures. My fondest wish is to keep this collection intact, ideally donated to some form of museum. Much of my work has been devoted to memorializing native American, Indian, indigenous culture.

As I have as yet no apparent recipient for a museum donation, I am offering some of my personal collection for sale.

 

A New Year…

Love Tap
Oil On 31″x56″ Canvas

Love Tap

I came to the South Carolina Lowcountry in 2003. In 2004, I settled in a cottage on New  Castle Street in the Northwest Quadrant of the town of Beaufort, the Historic District. I had the good fortune to take up my residence before gentrification replaced street theater with middle class trappings.

Across New Castle Street from my cottage the daily drama played out before my eyes witnessed from my front porch and front windows. I recorded the scenes in sketches in my journals. Some sketches found their way into my paintings.

“Love Tap” is a prominent such oil on canvas, 31 inches by 56 inches. The painting features CJ and friend en ballet, shadow boxing a nearly daily dance of such poise and grace to fully capture my attention and admiration…respect. That and scenes like that,

“Street Theater” was effectively evicted by “the market”. I made the painting, “Love Tap” en homage and mourning.

A look at the canvas as it developed:

“Love Tap”, beginning again, 2004-January 1, 2026

Now follows the progression:

Lightening Whelk Pendant, Copper Casting

Lightening WhelkLatex Coatings
• 10/13, 0858hrs
• 10/14, 0638hrs
• 10/15, 0921hrs
• 10/17, 0514 hrs
• 10/17, 1702hrs
• 10/18, 0506hrs
• 10/18, 2154hrs
• 10/19, 0557hrs
• 10/19, 1725hrs
• 10/20, 0913hrs
• 10/20, 1823hrs (11 coatings)
• 10/21, 0546hrs
• 10/21, 2001hrs
• 10/22, 0815hrs

To understand why it’s called “lightning whelk,” consider these points:
• The name “lightning” refers to the striking, zigzag patterns on its shell.
• Lightning whelks are known for their fast movement, resembling a flash of lightning.
• They are often found in coastal areas, where storms and lightning are common.
• The species is recognized for its unique spiral shell shape, which adds to its distinctive appearance.
• Their scientific name, Busycon sinistrum, reflects their left-coiling shell, further distinguishing them.
• The term “whelk” itself is derived from Old English, indicating a type of sea snail.

Righ to left, shell, latex rubber mould, wax pattern

Wax pattern set in plaster investment
Copper Cast