Way Out West

I was fortunate enough to participate in a June artist-in-residency at the Mystery Ranch in Searchlight, Nevada. I was also able to take a road trip to Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Death Valley National Park. I modeled and photographed 12 masks in these parks and at the Mystery Ranch. This was my 7th artist-in-residency and my first time visiting the Mojave desert area. Many thanks to Kim Garrison for inviting me to the Ranch! During June and July, all my mask sales will benefit the Mystery Ranch arts and science programing.

Skull Rock at Joshua Tree National Park

Skull Rock at Joshua Tree National Park

Camera Obscura house at the Mystery Ranch

Camera Obscura house at the Mystery Ranch

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Dante’s View overlook at Death Valley National Park.  Badwater Basin (-282 ft sea level) seen below.

Dante’s View overlook at Death Valley National Park. Badwater Basin (-282 ft sea level) seen below.

Mari Lwyd horse mask at Joshua Tree National Park.  Modeled by Thom Maurer.

Mari Lwyd horse mask at Joshua Tree National Park. Modeled by Thom Maurer.

Big Cypress National Preserve Artist-In-Residency

I was honored to be selected as the March Artist-In-Residence for Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida.  Big Cypress Preserve shares a contiguous ecosystem with the Everglades so I was able to work and play in one of the largest areas of protected land in the North American lower 48.  I took a boat ride out amongst the mangrove islands, hiked into chest deep swamps, and explored the nearby Miami art scene.  At the end of the residency I had an Art Show / "Meet and Greet" at the Swamp Welcome Center.  This is my fourth National Park Service Artist-In-Residency in three years.  

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Craters of the Moon National Monument Artist-In-Residency

I was honored to be an Artist-In-Resident at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. The park is a fascinating volcanic landscape with black rock and open lava tube caves. For my residency I focused on bat masks. I was able to finish a pallid bat mask and donate it to the park. The mask will be on display at the visitor's center. Follow my photography mask sessions on my Instagram account or check back here for updates. This was my third National Park Service Artist-In-Residency.

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Mask painting demonstration at the Visitor's Center

Mask painting demonstration at the Visitor's Center

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Home in the park for my Artist-In-Residency

Home in the park for my Artist-In-Residency

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'Inferno Cone' - Cinder Cone Volcano 

'Inferno Cone' - Cinder Cone Volcano 

'Indian Tunnel' lava tube cave 

'Indian Tunnel' lava tube cave 

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Lassen Volcanic National Park Artist-In-Residency

I had the privilege of being an Artist-In-Residence for Lassen Volcanic National Park in North California.  I lived and worked in the park for two weeks in July.  As with my previous National Park residency, I focused on creating regional animal inspired masks.  Lassen has a particularly unique landscape: it boasts all four types of volcanos.  I was able to photograph and model my masks on a plug dome, composite, shield, and cinder cone volcano.  There may be no other place in the world where I could have done that in a relatively short period of time.  I also enjoyed photographing the masks on snow drifts, frozen lakes, lava tube caves, and deep blue lakes.  You can follow all of my modeled masks on my Instagram account

Artist residence / studio view. 

Artist residence / studio view. 

Artist-In-Residency lodging in the Park Ranger quarters. 

Artist-In-Residency lodging in the Park Ranger quarters. 

Mask Day at the Loomis Museum at Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Visitors were invited to watch my process and learn about the art of mask making.  

Mask Day at the Loomis Museum at Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Visitors were invited to watch my process and learn about the art of mask making.  

"Cinder Cone" volcano at Lassen Volcanic National Park

"Cinder Cone" volcano at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Night sky photograph I took at "Chaos Crags" volcano at Lassen Volcanic National Park 

Night sky photograph I took at "Chaos Crags" volcano at Lassen Volcanic National Park 

Lassen Peak and Lake Manzanita 

Lassen Peak and Lake Manzanita 

Petrified Forest National Park Artist-In-Residency

I was a summer 2016 Artist-In-Residence at Petrified National Forest Park in Arizona.  I lived in a Park historic cabin for three weeks across from the legendary Painted Desert Inn.  During my residency I made five original animal masks and worked with models to photograph my work in the unique and otherworldly landscape.  I also displayed my work at the Holbrook Train Depot for their monthly art series, showed work at the annual Route 66 festival, and held a two day demonstration at the lovely La Posada Hotel in Winslow.  

Artist-In-Residence cabin

Artist-In-Residence cabin

Mask painting demonstration at La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona.

Mask painting demonstration at La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona.

Petrified Forest Park Rangers Katie Woods and Sevilla Soto generously modeled my masks for me in the Park.

Petrified Forest Park Rangers Katie Woods and Sevilla Soto generously modeled my masks for me in the Park.

Historic Holbrook Train Depot art demonstration for the month of June.

Historic Holbrook Train Depot art demonstration for the month of June.

Mask display at the 'Route 66 Festival' National Park booth in Holbrook, Arizona.

Mask display at the 'Route 66 Festival' National Park booth in Holbrook, Arizona.

Shooting at Blue Mesa in The Petrified Forest National Park

Shooting at Blue Mesa in The Petrified Forest National Park