About the Artist

I am a true Northwest native. I was born in Tacoma and grew up in Lakewood. During my college years, I lived in Pullman while I attended WSU and then moved back to the west side to attend University of Puget Sound. I had a graveyard shift on the Tide Flats for a paper pulp mill. This allowed me to go to school during the day and have more than an occasional beer at Magoo’s. From this time, I have in my personal collection a cherished watercolor of the Murray Morgan Bridge that I painted. It captures an older Tacoma.

After earning my BFA, I was called to service and was an officer in the US Navy during the Vietnam conflict and experienced two cruises to the Far East, and of course, Vietnam. Once discharged, I went on an exciting, extended ‘wander’ of Europe and Africa, traveling overland from Tunis to Tanzania. The colors in my most recent collection, “A New Land,” reflect my memories of this period.

My graduate school years at the University of Washington solidified my desire to be an artist. I was fortunate to study with masters who continue to inform my approach to painting and to mentoring younger artists. I will always be in gratitude to Michael Spafford, Alden Mason, and Jacob Lawrence.

Most of my life I lived in Seattle, with short interludes in California. Today, I am back in Tacoma, painting in my Nalley Valley Studio, giving workshops, and sharing a wonderful life of letters and travel with my wife, the poet, Josie Emmons Turner, and our mischievous dogs, Buttons and Charlie.

Education

Master of Fine Arts Painting University of Washington – Seattle, WA
Bachelor of Fine Arts Painting University of Puget Sound – Tacoma, WA

Awards & Honors

2012 First Prize – Painting – The CVG Washington Annual – CVG Gallery – Bremerton, WA
2003 Centrum Artist Creative Residency – Port Townsend, WA
2001 Artist Trust – Earthquake Recovery Grant – Seattle, WA
1998 Grant – Change Inc. – New York Grant – Artists’ Fellowship Inc. – New York
1996 Centrum Artist Creative Residency – Port Townsend, WA
1992 Honorable Mention – The Florida National 1992 – Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
1989 Visual Arts Grant – The Pollock/Krasner Foundation, Inc – New York
1987 Juror’s Award – Painting – Pacific Northwest Arts & Crafts Fair – Bellevue, WA
Northwest Poets and Artist Calendar – 1988
1986 1st Prize, Painting – 1st Annual National Juried Exhibition – Viridian Gallery – NY
1984 Special Project – Bumbershoot ’84 Seattle Arts Festival – Seattle, WA
1981 First Prize – Painting – Washington Painting/Sculpture ’81 – Tacoma Art Museum
Dr. Lester S. Baskin Memorial Award – Tacoma Art Museum – Tacoma, WA

Solo Exhibitions

2011 Spirit of the Land – Mavi Contemporary Art Gallery – Tacoma, WA
2009 Intimate Landscapes – Handforth Gallery – Tacoma, WA
2008 The Valley Series – Chase Gallery – Spokane, WA
2007 The Valley Series – Northwind Gallery – Port Townsend, WA
2006 The Valley Series – New Paintings – Alexis Hotel – Seattle, WA
2001 The Jazz Suite – Foster/White Gallery – Kirkland, WA
1997 Monotypes from Centrum – Foster/White Gallery – Kirkland, WA
City Slickers – Margo Jacobsen Gallery – Portland, OR
1996 New Paintings – Foster/White Gallery – Seattle, WA
1994 On the Road – The Imagined Landscape – Foster/White Gallery – Seattle, WA
1993 Foster/White Gallery – Kirkland, WA
1992 Going to the Crossroad – Foster/White Gallery – Seattle, WA
1990 Paintings – Foster/White Gallery – Seattle, WA
1989 Paintings – Giustina Gallery – Oregon State University – Corvallis, OR
1988 Paintings – Reed Whipple Cultural Center Gallery – Las Vegas, NV
New Paintings – Foster/White Gallery – Seattle, WA
1987 Paintings -Maude Kerns Art Center – Eugene, OR
1986 Viridian Gallery – New York, NY Foster/White Gallery – Seattle, WA
1983 Recent Paintings – Traver Sutton Gallery – Seattle, WA
Recent Paintings – Fountain Gallery – Portland, OR
Memorial Union Gallery – Arizona State University – Tempe, AZ
1982 Tacoma Art Museum – Tacoma, WA
1979 Kiku Gallery – Seattle, WA

Selected Group Exhibitions

2012 The CVG Washington Annual – CVG Gallery – Bremerton, WA
2009 Five Artists, Lynnwood Convention Center, Lynnwood, WA
Robert Daniel Gallery, Tacoma, WA
2008 Pierce Arts at Pierce College, Fine Arts Gallery, Steilacoom, WA
Brushes With the Land, Gallery by the Bay, Stanwood, WA
Addicted to Art, 7th Annual Poncho Invitational, Seattle, WA
2007 Diane DeBilzan Gallery – Laguna Beach, CA
Art Matters – Lemon Tree – Tacoma, WA
2006 Studios Part 3: SODO – SAM Gallery – Seattle Art Museum
Art Matters – Lemon Tree – Tacoma Washington
2005 UW School of Art – MFA Alumni Invitational Exhibition – SAM Gallery Seattle Art Museum – Seattle, WA
Art Matters – Lemon Tree – Tacoma, Washington
All About Art – Poncho Invitational – Seattle, WA
Northwest Landscapes – Foster/White Gallery – Seattle, Washington
2004 The Red Door Project – Invitational Temporary Public Art Installation -Tacoma, Washington
Modes of Abstraction, Foster/White Gallery – Kirkland, Washington
Faculty Exhibition – The Gallery at Tacoma Community College – Tacoma, WA
2003 Art Matters – Lemon Tree – Tacoma, Washington
2002 The Portrait Project, BumberBienniale, Seattle, Washington
All About Art – Poncho Invitational – Seattle, WA
2001 Splendor in the Bash – Henry Art Gallery – University of Washington – Seattle
1999 Poncho Invitational Fine Art – Seafirst Gallery – Seattle, WA
Y2BASH – Henry Art Gallery – University of Washington – Seattle, WA
Artworks for AIDS – Northwest AIDS Foundation – Seattle, WA
1998 Art on the Line – Henry Art Gallery – University of Washington – Seattle, WA
1997 Printworks – Kirkland Arts Center – Kirkland,WA
Artworks for AIDS – Northwest AIDS Foundation – Seattle, WA
Miniatures, Margo Jacobsen Gallery, Portland Oregon
1995 100 Years, 100 Paintings in Washington State, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
Artwork for AIDS ‘95, Seattle Center Pavilion, Seattle, Washington
1994 They Shoot Painters Don’t They? Center for Contemporary Art, Seattle, WA
1993 About Face, Biennial Competition, Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA
1992 Pacific Northwest Annual, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
Seattle Invitational – Here Today . . . Security Pacific Gallery, Seattle, WA
The Florida National 1992, University Gallery and Museum, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
The Form Divine, Italia, Seattle, Washington
1991 The Artist in the Art: Self Portraits, Bumbershoot ’91, Seattle Arts Festival
1990 Summer Suite, Joanne Warfield Gallery, Los Angeles, California
Big Sky Biennial VI, Jon B. Davis Gallery, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
1989 Fear of Others, International Art Exhibit Against Racism, Vancouver, B.C.
4th Annual Greater Midwest International Exhibition, Central Missouri State University Warrensburg, Missouri
43rd Annual Pacific Northwest Arts & Crafts Fair, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
1988 Fire and Ice Exhibition, Downey Museum of Art, Downey, California
Mist and Mythology, Gensler & Associates, Los Angeles, California
In Transit: The Concept of Transport in Art, Bumbershoot ’88 Seattle Arts Festival, Seattle, Washington
42nd Annual Pacific Northwest Arts & Crafts Fair, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
1987 Five Monumental Paintings, Bumbershoot ’87 Seattle Arts Festival
Inaugural Show, Haines Gallery, San Francisco, California
Figurative Painting, Gallery Hirondelle, New York, New York
Night Screams/Day Dreams, Galeria Mesa, Mesa, Arizona
1986 1st Annual National Juried Exhibition, Viridian Gallery, New York, NY
Shadow Project ’86, August 6, Hiroshima Day, Milan, Italy
Bumbershoot Open : House, Bumbershoot ’86, Seattle Arts Festival
40th Annual Pacific Northwest Arts & Crafts Fair, Bellevue, Washington
1985 Seattle Painting 1925-1985, Bumberbiennale ’85, Bumbershoot 85
Through the Looking Glass, Safeco Plaza, Seattle, Washington
Neo York/Seattle, Center on Contemporary Art, Seattle, Washington
1983 Northwest Juried Art ’83, Cheney Cowles Memorial Museum, Spokane, WA
37th Annual Pacific Northwest Arts & Crafts Fair, Bellevue, Washington
Contemporary Regional Art, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
1981 10th Annual Washington Painting/Sculpture ’81, Tacoma Art Museum
The Mind’s Eye – Expressionism, Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington
1980 44th Annual National Painting Show, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
1977 53rd Annual National Exhibition, Springville Museum of Art, Springville, Utah
1976 San Diego Fine Arts Gallery, San Diego, California
1975 21st Annual All California Juried Show, Laguna Beach Museum of Art, Laguna Beach, California
1974 Bumbershoot Festival ’74 Visual Arts Invitational, Seattle, WA
1973 3rd Annual Washington Painting/Sculpture ’73, Tacoma Art Museum
2nd Annual National Art Competition – Grand Galleria, Seattle, WA
33rd Annual Exhibition of Watercolors, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA
1970 56th Annual Exhibition of Northwest Artists, Seattle Art Museum

Museum Exhibitions

1993 About Face- Biennial Competition – Tacoma Art Museum – Tacoma, WA
1992 Pacific Northwest Annual – Bellevue Art Museum – Bellevue, WA
The Florida National 1992 – University Gallery and Museum – Florida State University – Tallahassee, FL
1988 Fire and Ice Exhibition – Downey Museum of Art – Downey, California
1983 Northwest Juried Art ’83 – Cheney Cowles Memorial Museum – Spokane, WA
Contemporary Regional Art – Bellevue Art Museum – Bellevue, Washington
1982 Tacoma Art Museum – Solo Exhibition – Tacoma, WA
1981 10th Annual Washington Painting/Sculpture ’81 – Tacoma Art Museum
1980 44th Annual National Painting Show – Butler Institute of American Art – Youngstown, OH
1977 53rd Annual National Exhibition – Springville Museum of Art – Springville, UT
1976 San Diego Fine Arts Gallery – San Diego, California
1975 21st Annual All California Juried Show – Laguna Beach Museum of Art, Laguna Beach, CA
1973 3rd Annual Washington Painting/Sculpture “73 – Tacoma Art Museum
33rd Annual Exhibition of Watercolors – Seattle Art Museum – Seattle, WA
1970 56th Annual Exhibition of Northwest Artists – Seattle Art Museum

Related Activities

2006 Exhibition Juror – Alchemy of the Abstract – Northwind Gallery – Port Townsend, WA
Exhibition Juror – Kent Cornucopia Days – Kent, WA
2004-07 Teaching – Oil Painting – Pratt Fine Arts Center – Seattle, WA
Teaching – Oil Painting – Tacoma Community College – Tacoma, WA
2000-06 Art Installation – Linda Hodges Gallery – Seattle, WA
1999-01 Art Condition Assessment – Collection of the Washington State Arts Commission
Art Condition Assessment & Documentation – City of Tacoma % For Art Collection
1998 Teaching, Monotype – Creativity Week – Centrum Art Center – Port Townsend, WA
Art Installer – Artech Art Service – Seattle, WA
1982 Founded Westworks Studios – Provided economical workspace for artists for over 19 years.
1974 Teaching – Painting & Drawing – Seward Park Art Studios – City of Seattle

Publications

Clayton, Alec, “Teachers on the Spot”, Weekly Volcano, March 18, 2004
“Tacoma’s Red Door Project” Main Street News No. 209 August 2004
Gragg, Randy, “Turner’s Twists and Turns”, The Oregonian, June 20, 1997
Dalkey, Victoria, “Medium with a Message”, The Sacramento Bee, May 20, 1990, Encore pp. 6-7
Arts in Action Society, Fear of Others: In Search of Tolerance/Art Against Racism, Metropolitan Press, Ltd., 1989, cover and p. 97
Griffin, Kevin, “Exhibit Rocks Racism”, The Vancouver Sun, September 28, 1989, p. 1E
“Turner Abstracts Being Displayed”, Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 31, 1988, p.8
“Nightmare Art Displayed in Galeria’s New Exhibit”, Mesa Independent, Mesa, AZ, October 7, 1987, p. 2
Hackett, Regina, “Art on the Streets – Some of the Best is Unsanctioned”, Seattle Post- Intelligencer,October 4, 1987, p. 1F
Bennet, Laura Lee, “Art That Warms Us”, Reflex 9/1/1, September/October 1987, Vol. 1, No. 5, pp. 20-21
Glowen, Ron, “Artists Celebrate Sensuality Quietly”, The Everett Herald, July 16, 987, August 13, 1987, The Key, p. 5
“Maude Kerns Gives Reception for Exhibitors”, The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, April 3, 1987, p. 8D
Berger, David, “How the Local Talent Developed a Regional Identity”, Pacific Northwest Art Exposition, Program, 1986, pp. 3-4
Hackett, Regina, “`Neo York/Seattle’ Has the Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, Pacific Northwest Art Exposition Program, 1986, pp. 3-4
Glowen, Ron, “The Good, The Bad, The Neo”, The Everett Herald, April 25, 1985, p. 2E
Stamets, John, “Street Art”, Arts Line, Vol. II No. 6, October 1984, p. B4
Behrens, Tim, “Exhibit Shows Off Regional Talent”, The Spokane Spokesman Review, October 30, 1983, p. E12
Anderson, Peter, “Art Exhibition Quite Exciting”, Mooring Mast, Pacific Lutheran University, May 7, 1983, p. 12
“Two Northwest Painters Open Union Art Show”, The Phoenix Gazette, January 8, 1983
Tucker, Cheryl, “Exciting, Diverse Show at Museum”, Tacoma News Tribune, August 9, 1981, pp. 7-8
Wotton, Warren B., “Painting Vigorous, Sculpture Artful”, Tacoma News Tribune, May 7, 1981, p. B8
West, Harvey, The Washington Year: A Contemporary View, 1980-1981, University of Washington Press, 1982, pp. xvii 7.14
Hackett, Regina, “Gallery Hits Lucky Number”, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 29, 1981
Kangas, Matthew, “Expressionism Needs Definition”, Argus, May 8, 1981, p. 12

Selected Public and Corporate Collections

  • Washington State Arts Commission
  • Tacoma Art Museum
  • Amgen Corporation
  • River Place Hotel, Portland, Oregon
  • Nordstrom Corporation
  • Washington Athletic Club
  • Safeco Corporation
  • Hotel Griffon, San Francisco, California
  • Karr Tuttle Campbell, Seattle, Washington
  • Fred Meyer Trust
  • Louis Owen Inc., Seattle, Washington
  • Taphouse Grill, Bellevue, Washington
and many private collections throughout the Country