His work can be found in many national and international collections.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiogirard/
The crisis of our times, as I see it, has been the desacralization of the earth. The massive destructive, unrelenting machine of modernity treats the earth and humans as commodities: how efficient can they be exploited, used up, and thrown away. Everything is temporary and constantly changing in the endless drive for more profits. My paintings focus on ideas opposite to these. Man must be seen as an integral part of the earth, living in harmony with its laws. The landscape and humankind both have a spiritual meaning beyond their materialistic forms. I believe in a spiritual outlook that sees the earth as sacred and rejoicing in its beauty as a religious act. The permanence of the endless cycles of nature is to be acknowledged and respected.
For years I have been exploring and painting the mountains near my home. I have been seeking those moments of ecstatic drama, mystery, and the sublime that nature provides for the inquisitive. My landscape paintings try to capture those moments. I am excited by movement as the expression of the life force. The swirling of clouds and a dancer are excellent expressions of this force. My paintings intend to combine the landscape and figure in a cohesive synthesis of movement and emotion so that the figure and landscape are one, both complimenting each other.
One of the central ideas of my work is that of the sacred and the seeker of the sacred. The hallowing of the land is symbolized by ritual structures that are in harmony with the surrounding landscape. The female subject of many of my paintings represents the pilgrim on a spiritual quest. Together with the mist, the shadows of the trees, and the mountains, the sacred will be found and nourished.
2018: Group Show, Robby King Gallery, WA
2017: Group Show, Robby King Gallery, WA
2016: Duo Show, Artique, Anchorage, AK
2015: Duo Show, Artique, Anchorage, AK
2013: Group Show, International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
2012: Solo Show. Stephan Fine Arts, Anchorage, AK
2012: Group Show. Alaska Art for the Parks, Stephan Fine Arts, Anchorage, AK
2011: Solo Show. Stephan Fine Arts, Anchorage, AK
2010: Solo Show. Stephan Fine Arts, Anchorage, AK
2009: Group Show. Palmer Museum of History and Art , Palmer, AK
2009: Group Show. Alaska Art for the Parks, Paint Spot Gallery, Anchorage, AK
2008: Group Show. Alaska Art for the Parks, Stephan Fine Arts, Anchorage, AK
2007: Duo Show. Stephan Fine Arts, Anchorage, AK
2007: Group Show. Alaska Art for the Parks, Stephan Fine Arts, Anchorage, AK
2000: Solo show. Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK
2000: Group Show. Blaines, Wasilla, AK
1999: Group Show. Decker Morris Gallery, Anchorage, AK
1998: Solo show. Decker Morris Gallery, Anchorage, AK
1998: All Alaska Juried Art Exhibition, Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, AK
1995: Group Show. Gallery of the Lakes, Big Lake, AK
1995: All Alaska Juried Art Exhibition, Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, AK
2016: âAlignmentâ is a finalist in the International Art Renewal Centerâs 2016 Salon.
2015: âAwakeningâ and âProcessionâ are finalists in the International Art Renewal Centerâs 2014/2015 Salon
2012: Recognized by the Palmer Arts Council as the Outstanding Artist of the Year at their annual dinner.
2011: Alaska Art For the Parks, âBest of Showâ
2010: The Alaska State Council on the Arts selected the painting " The Land beyond the Red Tundra" for purchase for The Alaska Contemporary Art Bank.
2009: Palmer Museum Purchase Award through a grant from Rasmuson Art Acquisition Fund. For the Painting âPalmer Farmâ
2008: Alaska Art For the Parks, âBest of Showâ and âPeers Choiceâ Awards.
2007: Palmer Museum Purchase Award through a grant from Rasmuson Art Acquisition Fund. For the Painting âSeeking the Lightâ
2007:Alaska Art For the Parks, âBest Figureâ Award.1998:All Alaska Juried Art Exhibition, Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage. Award for the painting âJourneyâ.
1998: All Alaska Juried Art Exhibition, Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage.
Award for the painting âJourneyâ which was published in the museum catalog.
2016: Painting âProcessionâ featured in February issue of Fine Art Connoisseur
2016: Art Renewal Centerâs Salon Catalog
2015: Art Renewal Centerâs Salon Catalog
1998: Anchorage Museum of History and Art Exhibition Catalog