Way Out West

I was fortunate enough to participate in a June artist-in-residency at the Mystery Ranch in Searchlight, Nevada. I was also able to take a road trip to Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Death Valley National Park. I modeled and photographed 12 masks in these parks and at the Mystery Ranch. This was my 7th artist-in-residency and my first time visiting the Mojave desert area. Many thanks to Kim Garrison for inviting me to the Ranch! During June and July, all my mask sales will benefit the Mystery Ranch arts and science programing.

Skull Rock at Joshua Tree National Park

Camera Obscura house at the Mystery Ranch

Dante’s View overlook at Death Valley National Park. Badwater Basin (-282 ft sea level) seen below.

Mari Lwyd horse mask at Joshua Tree National Park. Modeled by Thom Maurer.

'Wild Things' solo show at Carson-Newman University

My solo show Wild Things is now open at Carson-Newman University in Tennessee. This is the largest show to date of my masks and photographs. I was happy to visit my old University and bring my new creations. It was great to see old friends and meet new students. Open until December 2nd.

Turnip Green Creative Gallery Art Show - Nashville

Thank you to everyone who visited my August solo art show FALSE FACES: NEW MASKS at Turnip Green Creative Reuse in Nashville, Tennessee. I had a lot of fun and about half of my displayed masks sold! I really appreciate all the support.

Bandelier National Monument Artist-In-Residency

I was honored to be selected as an Artist-In-Residence at Bandelier National Monument (New Mexico) for the first two weeks of October. This is my fifth park residency since 2016. During the residency I lived in the park, held demonstrations, and (of course) modeled my masks in the beautiful park. Bandelier is a gorgeous place with a rich Native American history. I also enjoyed exploring Santa Fe and nearby Los Alamos. I highly recommend the residency!

Bandelier AIR Selection Committee Chair Carolyn Florek with Jym.

Big Cypress National Preserve Artist-In-Residency

I was honored to be selected as the March Artist-In-Residence for Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida.  Big Cypress Preserve shares a contiguous ecosystem with the Everglades so I was able to work and play in one of the largest areas of protected land in the North American lower 48.  I took a boat ride out amongst the mangrove islands, hiked into chest deep swamps, and explored the nearby Miami art scene.  At the end of the residency I had an Art Show / "Meet and Greet" at the Swamp Welcome Center.  This is my fourth National Park Service Artist-In-Residency in three years.  

Craters of the Moon National Monument Artist-In-Residency

I was honored to be an Artist-In-Resident at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. The park is a fascinating volcanic landscape with black rock and open lava tube caves. For my residency I focused on bat masks. I was able to finish a pallid bat mask and donate it to the park. The mask will be on display at the visitor's center. Follow my photography mask sessions on my Instagram account or check back here for updates. This was my third National Park Service Artist-In-Residency.

Mask painting demonstration at the Visitor's Center

Home in the park for my Artist-In-Residency

'Inferno Cone' - Cinder Cone Volcano 

'Indian Tunnel' lava tube cave 

Lassen Volcanic National Park Artist-In-Residency

I had the privilege of being an Artist-In-Residence for Lassen Volcanic National Park in North California.  I lived and worked in the park for two weeks in July.  As with my previous National Park residency, I focused on creating regional animal inspired masks.  Lassen has a particularly unique landscape: it boasts all four types of volcanos.  I was able to photograph and model my masks on a plug dome, composite, shield, and cinder cone volcano.  There may be no other place in the world where I could have done that in a relatively short period of time.  I also enjoyed photographing the masks on snow drifts, frozen lakes, lava tube caves, and deep blue lakes.  You can follow all of my modeled masks on my Instagram account. 

Artist residence / studio view. 

Artist-In-Residency lodging in the Park Ranger quarters. 

Mask Day at the Loomis Museum at Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Visitors were invited to watch my process and learn about the art of mask making.  

"Cinder Cone" volcano at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Night sky photograph I took at "Chaos Crags" volcano at Lassen Volcanic National Park 

Lassen Peak and Lake Manzanita 

Petrified Forest National Park Artist-In-Residency

I was a summer 2016 Artist-In-Residence at Petrified National Forest Park in Arizona.  I lived in a Park historic cabin for three weeks across from the legendary Painted Desert Inn.  During my residency I made five original animal masks and worked with models to photograph my work in the unique and otherworldly landscape.  I also displayed my work at the Holbrook Train Depot for their monthly art series, showed work at the annual Route 66 festival, and held a two day demonstration at the lovely La Posada Hotel in Winslow.  

Artist-In-Residence cabin

Mask painting demonstration at La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona.

Petrified Forest Park Rangers Katie Woods and Sevilla Soto generously modeled my masks for me in the Park.

Historic Holbrook Train Depot art demonstration for the month of June.

Mask display at the 'Route 66 Festival' National Park booth in Holbrook, Arizona.

Shooting at Blue Mesa in The Petrified Forest National Park