BRIEFLY What is art? I believe it is a critical balance between the work of the artist and the perception of the viewer. These two - image and interpretation - balance against one another, and create a different experience for each person who views a piece of art. For that reason, the painter should never explain his meaning - ever - for any reason. It negates interpretation and ruins the viewer¹s experience.

SIEGE - As a young man, my nickname CJ got shortened to Siege, and the name stuck. I am often told my technique of applying and manipulating paint is unorthodox & intense. Building all my own frames from recycled cedar and stretching my own canvases, I add distressed paper over the top. This creates a layered surface of paint and paper. Pushing, pulling, scratching, scraping, sanding, and "attacking² these layers, builds the images, textures, and colors in the art.

NATIVE TO THE NORTHWEST; born in Seattle and growing up on the wild west side of Bainbridge Island. I have been involved with both graphic design and printmaking since the 80s, and I obtained a BFA from the Cornish College of the Arts in 1991. I¹ve been making my living as a professional artist ever since. Unofficially, I like to describe my style as "industrial figurative" because I often use type, technical imagery from atmospheric graphs, topographical maps.

above: Study for Twelve November 2020

LATELY - I seem to have a penchant for bridges, birds, and boats. I have also created images of mechanical parts, engines, industrial tools, cusine, and occasionally the human form. My passion is racing- (I race vintage motorcycles) and some of my work reflects this obsession.

INTERVIEW starts at 7:20