Frequently Asked Questions
Art studio sketchbooks full of ideas in progress
This page answers common questions about my Portland, Oregon sculpture studio, including studio visits, art classes, commissions, materials, and artistic influences. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact me—I’m happy to discuss ideas, commissions, or learning opportunities.
Where is your sculpture studio located?
My sculpture studio is located at 7830 SW 40th Ave., Studio #7, Portland, Oregon 97219. I am in the studio most days, but hours vary. Studio visits are available by appointment—please contact me to schedule a visit.
How do I schedule a class with you?
I offer private sculpture classes in my studio that are scheduled at your convenience.
Individual sessions: $110 for a 2-hour class
Small groups (2–3 people): $65 per person
Classes are often more enjoyable with friends, and I encourage registering together.
See Classes Page for additional details.
Do you teach group classes?
Yes. I teach group sculpture classes at Oregon Art Center (formerly Oregon Society of Artists). These classes typically meet weekly and average about 10 students. Please see the current class schedule for details.
Do you accept sculpture commissions?
Yes, I accept sculpture commissions and enjoy new creative challenges. The commission process includes:
An initial conversation about your project
A rough sketch of my interpretation
Agreement on scale, materials, and cost
A 50% deposit is required to begin. The remaining balance is due upon completion and delivery. If the finished piece is not accepted, I retain the artwork, and your deposit is credited toward the purchase of any current or future work from my studio.
What materials do you use to create your sculptures?
My sculptures are created using different materials for interior and exterior work.
Interior sculptures are built on a carved marble base with a steel wire armature. Layers of paper or fabric saturated with a polymer binder form the structure, followed by a plaster-polymer surface for strength and texture. The sculpture is finished with acrylic paint and a UV-protective sealer and is intended for interior display only.
Armature for exterior sculpture “Unspoken”
Exterior sculptures begin with a welded mild steel armature mounted to a steel plate base. High-density urethane foam is carved over the armature, sealed with fiberglass, painted with durable exterior enamel, and finished with a UV-resistant sealer for weather protection.
Where do your ideas come from?
My ideas come from reading, observation, and decades of drawing. I am a visual learner and keep hundreds of sketchbooks in my studio. An idea may require dozens of sketches before it becomes a sculpture. This is a nonlinear process—some ideas pause for months or years before returning in a new form. Even after sculpting begins, a piece often evolves significantly. I think of the process as a collaboration with the work itself.
Who has influenced you as an artist?
Artists who have influenced how I see include René Magritte, Georgia O’Keeffe, Rick Bartow, John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, and Thomas Moran.
Sculptors who have influenced my work include Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, and Marcel Duchamp. Many of these artists worked across disciplines, which continues to inspire my approach to sculpture.