Refining my artistic expression has been — and still is — a lifelong journey.
Discovering Art as a Child
I wouldn’t be where I am —anywhere near — without my middle school art teacher, Ms Deanna Pfarr. Actual schoolwork, in Middle School, was only the bare minimum. The majority of class time, any classes and all classes, was drawing and doodling. When it was beginning to really get me in trouble, grade wise and parental wise, somehow Ms. Pfarr happened to see my doodles. She soon set up a meeting with my mother and strongly suggested that I get into art school as soon as possible. The very next summer, between 6th and 7th Grade (roughly 1982-83), I started summer classes at CCAD (Columbus College of Art and Design) and continued that Saturday School trend into High school. Another Art Tearcher, Mr. Kreis entered my life and propelled me with new experiences, perspectives, mediums and time to develop any skills at all. Then, at BGSU, Mr Robert Mazour truly opened my eyes. mind, hands and aynthing else I could possibly use – to create. He didn’t teach me how to paint…. he taught me how to explore. Exploring mediums, applictions, processes, mixing all those things up or separating them in order to discover and express myself.
Learning Art through Formal Education
1993: BFA, Bowling Green State Univ.
2010-13: MFA / Academy of Art Univ. / San Francisco, CA / Graduate with MFA in Dec. 2013
Exploring the Artistic Side of Corporate America
1994-96: Graphic Designer / Press Operator : Belcom Corp., Bellwood, IL
1996-97: Graphic Designer / INVSCO Mktg & Adv. / American INVSCO Corp
1997-99: Creative Art Director / INVSCO Mktg & Adv. / American INVSCO Corp
Finding Art in Food and Fine Dining across the Globe
2000: Morning prep – Saucier’s Apprentice / N9NE Restaurant / Chicago, IL
2000: Assisted Gary Danko dinner at The James Beard House dinner
2000: Clarets Restaurant / line cook / Dublin, Ireland (2 months)
2001: Jan – March / Stage Cooking Experience / Ballymaloe House Co. / Cork, Ireland
2001: Various Restaurants Stages (6 months) / Dublin, Ireland
2001-02: Saucier / Wave Restaurant / Chicago, IL
2002-05: Line Cook / The Refectory Restaurant / Columbus, OH
2005-07: Cook/Prep / McConnell Heart Health Center / Columbus, OH
Merging Art and Business
2007-09: Graphic Design Manager / Medical Device Co. / Columbus, OH
2011-13: Sr. Art Director / Powell & Partners / Charlotte, NC
Fully Embracing Art as a Career
2013-Present: Owner/Designer/Artist / Cre8ive-Differences, LLC
2019-Present: Full Time Artist / Fisher Artworks & Cre8ive-Differences, LLC
Organizations
Durango Arts Center / Durango, CO / Since 2023
Delaware Artist Guild / Delaware, OH / Since 2023
Worthington Area Art League / Worthington, OH / Since 2023
Dublin Area Art League / Dublin, OH / Since 2021
Ohio Art League / Columbus, OH / Since 2016
Gallery / Representation
Hayley Gallery / New Albany, OH / May 2021 – Current
Gallery Presence
Durango Arts Center / Durango, CO. / October 2023 – Current
Art Festivals:
Durango Autumn Arts Festival / Durango, CO. / Sept. 16-17, 2023 / 2nd Place Award
Y-Bridge Arts Festival / Zanesville, OH | August 4 – 5th, 2023 / BEST OF SHOW Award
Upcoming Exhibitions
2 Person Show / Hayley Gallery / New Albany, OH / May 2024
Upcoming Exhibitions:
First Financial / 495 Metro Place South, Ste 160, Dublin, OH / August – September 2024
Artistic Accomplishments:
Pancakes and Booze / February 24, 2024 / Reggies, Chicago, IL
Hayley Gallery New Albany / Best of Hayley Gallery Group Show / December 2024
Worthington Community Center / Worthington, OH / December 2023-January 2024
Dublin Area Art League / Fall Member Show / November 2023 / Dublin, OH
‘Vim’ / Ohio State Fair Juried Fine Arts Exh. / Columbus, OH / July 26-August 6, 2023: SOLD!
The Depot Coffeehouse / Urbana, OH / 6/9 – 7/8/2023
Dublin Advisors / Dublin, OH / Paintings in Collection / June 2023
Nationwide Children’s Hospital / 6 paintings purchased from Hayley Gallery / June 2023
Hayley Gallery New Albany / Best of Hayley Gallery Group Show / December 2023
Hayley Gallery New Albany / Two Person Show / December 2022
83 Gallery / Group Show / December 2022 / Featured Artist /Brothers Drake Meadery / Columbus, OH
83 Gallery / Group Show / November 2022 / Brothers Drake Meadery / Columbus, OH
Dublin Area Art League / Juried Fall Show / Nov-Dec 2022 / Honorable Mention: ’Manic’ / Dublin, OH
Dublin Area Art Lge/Riffe Arts Center Juried Show / First Place: ’Erewhon’ / June 2022 / Columbus, OH
First Commonwealth Bank / Exhibiting Artist, Short North Gallery Hop / July-Aug 2022 / Columbus, OH
Blue Blaze Brewing / Exhibiting Artist / May 1 – June 25, 2022 / Charlotte, NC
Dublin Area Art League / 2022 Spring Juried Show / Honorable Mention for ‘Hopes Fervor’ / Dublin, OH
Dublin Area Art League / 2021 Winter Juried Art Show / First Place for ‘LUSH’ / Dublin, OH
Fresh Start Bakery / 3 month show / May – July 2021
Behavioral Health Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital / August 2020 / 3 Works in Collection
Diafano Art Magazine (Spain) / June 2020 / 6 page Spread, Published
Pancakes & Booze Chicago / Chicago, IL / February 2020 / Exhibiting Artist (Group Show)
Belle Acres CC / Charlotte, NC / Solo Pop Up Exhibit October / 2019
Spaced Out Glass Gallery / Marysville, OH
Kendall & Blue Boutique / Marysville, OH
Rollies / Marysville, OH / Solo Exhibit / 2018
Elevator Brewing / Columbus, OH / Aug 2017 / Pop-Up Show Solo Artist
The Table / Columbus, OH / Solo Exhibit / May 2017
Ohio State Fair / Columbus, OH / July/Aug 2016 / Juried in piece “Negative-ZoneScape #1”
Pancakes & Booze Chicago / Chicago, IL / June 17-18 2016 / Exhibiting Artist (Group Show)
Elevator Brewing / Columbus, OH / May 2016 / Pop-Up Show Solo Artist
Brother’s Drake Meadery / Columbus, OH / April 2015 / Solo Exhibiting Artist
Marysville Public Library / Marysville, OH / November 2014 – January 2015 / Solo Exhibiting Artist
Gallery Denmark / Columbus, OH / December 2014 / Solo Exhibiting Artist
Le Chocoholique / Columbus, OH / September 2014 / Solo Exhibiting Artist
Something Sweet Bakery / Delaware, OH / August 2014 / Solo Exhibiting Artist
83 Gallery / Columbus, OH / Jan-March 2014 / Group Show; Exhibiting Artist
CS Gallery / Columbus, OH / December 2013 / Group Show; Exhibiting Artist
Charlotte Art League / Charlotte, NC / August-September 2013 / Featured Artist
Charlotte Art League / Charlotte, NC / January 2013 / Point of Departure Group Show
Charlotte Art League / Charlotte, NC / November 2012 / 1 piece in Juried show
MOMO2 / Columbus, OH / September 2011 – January 2012 / Solo Exhibiting Artist
Sage / Columbus, OH / July – September 2011 / Solo Exhibiting Artist
BOMA (Bar of Modern Art) / Columbus, OH / January – March 2007 / Exhibiting Artist, Main Room
DLG Gallery / Chicago, IL / May – June 2005 / Group Show; Exhibiting Artist
Upstream People Gallery / Online Juried Exhibition / Oct 2005 – Sept 2006 / Special Recognition Award
About The House / Marysville, OH / Oct – Nov. 2004 / Solo Exhibiting Artist
Published works:
Artsy Shark Featured Artist Article / August 2023
“Living Different Moments” / Book Cover Design / 2023
“Living In The Different: Passages through Sorrow and Loss” / Book Cover Design 2018
”Life Lessons of a Lone Trooper: The Legacy and Fruit of Your Labor” / Book Cover Design 2018
“Cheers” / Artist Portfolio Magazine, International Print and OnLine Juried Contest / March 2014
“Echoes of the Fall” / Book Cover Design / 2014