About My Art

For as far back as I can remember, I’ve been intrigued by color, balance and line. In primary school I clearly recall most of my drawings starting in the middle of the paper and then adding shapes and color symmetrically until they reached the edge of the page. So making designs was my first artistic interest and it was fun!

When I was working in the film industry, on and off for about 30 years, there were many idle hours on the set, so I did a lot of drawing while waiting. As my confidence developed my designs became freer, and in turn, a curvier look emerged. The electrical gear on set was a favorite of mine. Things like pipes, electrical units, doors, lamps and tools. This led to me combining the two – the symmetry of industrial forms with the natural world of vines, trees, flowers and more – combining the free form with the fabricated. I plan to go back to this theme soon.

Around the same time I decided it was time to learn to use paint. I chose watercolor for its difficulty. I found Pat Hammack in Van Nuys, who taught informally at her home, overseeing an open house type of class. It was quite unique. I won a class contest two-fold, First Prize and Best in Show. I went on to do commissioned work, had a couple of shows, and in the process came to realize I could possibly make a living this way.

In the early 80’s I was given the opportunity to move to Puerto Angel, in Oaxaca, Mexico. I jumped at the chance! It was a tiny port town, with no luxuries, lots of challenges, but few distractions. It was perfect. Within a few months I’d created nearly 30 paintings and was invited to do a couple of shows at the Casa de la Cultura. Nearly all of my work was sold. It was very exciting.

Moving back to Los Angeles in the late 80’s, I did several shows in galleries from downtown Los Angeles, to Melrose Avenue, Santa Monica and the San Fernando Valley. All were well received. I moved up to this beautiful beachside town of Santa Barbara in 1994 to raise my daughter. To make a living for the two of us, I did logos and graphic design work, while continuing to paint. Since then, I have branched out to include found art and assemblage. Photography is also in my repertoire.

Some well-known performers have my art in their collections including Scott Bakula, Marge Champion and Donna Mills. You can also find my work hanging in the Lobero Theatre Offices in Santa Barbara, and Casa de la Cultura in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Personal Bio

A second-generation native Californian, raised in the San Fernando Valley in California to parents who were born in Hollywood. In fact, they were sweethearts at Hollywood High School. When I was two years old we moved from an apartment on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, to a house in Studio City. The house was primarily built by my father and grandfather and was only the second house on the block. Those were the days!

My grandfather, Ernest Belcher, straddled two very different but equally artistic interests as a ballet instructor and home builder. He also enjoyed his frequent soda jerk stints. He could have been called a “Renaissance Man.” As a Hollywood dance director he instructed very notable talents: Fred Astaire, Sonja Henie (Olympic winning Ice Skater and movie star), Marge Champion, his daughter and my aunt, (who was an award winning choreographer/dancer partnered with another very famous dancer/choreographer Gower Champion with scads of credits in film and TV), Shirley Temple and many more from the Golden Era of the Hollywood Musical. With such rich artistic history, I believe I inherently picked up some of my grandfather’s artistic interest and proficiency.

There is a rhythmic component here which I content corresponds to and affects my artwork. Esoterically speaking. . .one could say my work “dances” across the paper.

GALLERIES & EXHIBITS

Past Exhibitions:

Art from Scrap – Santa Barbara, CA
Casa de la Cultura – Oaxaca, Mexico
CASA Gallery @ Voice Magazine – Santa Barbara, CA
Contemporary Arts Forum – Los Angeles, CA
Gallery Goez – Los Angeles, CA
House of Portraits – San Fernando Valley, CA
Golddiggers Gallery – Sherman Oaks, CA
Figaro Café – Los Angeles, CA
Art Dimensions – Santa Monica, CA

COLLECTORS

Mrs. Williams Scully
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Cornwell
Mr. Robert Chamberlain
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Breit
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Grasse
Ms. Janice Pizano
Mr. and Mrs. Marge Champion Sagal
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Vinci
Mr. M.J. Brown, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Leach
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Zimoski
Ms. Marilyn Voltz
Mr. Scott Bakula