"Moments in a Day" Painting

I was born in Roswell, New Mexico in 1949. My mother's parents were Russian emigres fleeing war and revolution. She was born in New York and went on to art school there and eventually passed on to me a talent for art and a passion for life. In the late 1960's, at the age of nineteen and the height of the Viet Nam war, I was a student anti-war protester and critic of the government. I was arrested on a minor drug charge of possession of LSD and sent to prison for five years. The US was cracking down on the counter culture of the day and I got caught up in the sweep of history. I turned twenty one in prison just a few weeks before being released. Eventually I was pardoned by the Governor and had my civil rights restored. I went on to college and eventually a full scholarship for art school. As one might imagine, It was an immensely important influence on my world view and has colored how I see the world and the people in it. It was then that I truly dedicated myself to the idea of being an artist. We all want to make a statement and impact the world around us. Whether art is overtly political or not, it serves to set out for all to see my points of view and interests. Artists that have inspired me- Raphael, Turner, Corot, Motherwell, Rothko, and more. After graduating art school, I along with my partner and future wife, Reta Larson, started a pottery which over some years developed into Pratt and Larson Ceramics. A company for the design and manufacturing of ceramic tile. Our Portland showroom is Pratt and Larson Tile. The design and manufacturing company started in 1982 and the showroom in 1990. As Reta and I devoted ever increasing amounts of time to the tile company my work in painting fell to the side as did Reta’s work in fabrics and collage. Pratt and Larson Tile has gained national recognition and distribution. In the late 90’s I began to seriously paint again. I joined Blackfish Gallery and had shows for several years. In 2004 Reta started Sidestreet Gallery and I have shown there since. In early 2017 we sold Pratt and Larson Tile and all tile manufacturing. I tend to work in a series. Usually a series is somewhat finite. Usually 10 to 20 pieces but not always. My tattooed animal series has gone on for years and numbers close to 100 pieces. I work in both realistic and abstract art.