Artist Statement

The human form tells a story of more than what rests on the surface. There is a story waiting to be told in our mannerisms and interactions. I strive to witness my own internal story and that of others, and then to capture a snippet of that story on the panel. There is a pause, a moment when the viewer is invited into the story, and within that moment the personal pivots into the universal. 

The body language, depicted in many of my works, creates a platform for observation into the intimate world of human emotion and interaction. The figures ask you to slip into their imperfect skin and find within the patterns of shape a color an emotive resonance. In this shared experience we can find an authentic human connection.

The layered material, wax, paper, and oil, are painted onto raw birch panels that I construct in my timber frame barn. I frequently use the wood’s grain to enhance the figure in order to create the effect of human skin and background patterns. The combination of the delicate wood grain molded into skin and the layered wax and oil express a contemporary voice that depicts strength and delicacy while the simplicity of the forms leaves room for the viewer’s imagination.

Some works are layered over previous works which I scrape through to reveal layers of line and form. I consider these personal growth pieces and they are very special to work with. I revel in the unique spirit that they present to me as I start a second skin. Their stories become intertwined and invite the viewer into a rich tapestry of layers and texture. 

Our most vulnerable and imperfect voice speaks unintentionally through our bodies so pause and converse for a moment in our shared human experience.

- Cloud Oakes

Exhibitions:

Waterworks Gallery, September 2019 Art Isle, Solo, Friday Harbor, WA

Contemporary Studio Show, June 2019 Curated by Danielle Dean, Group, Friday Harbor, WA

Island Studio Tour, June 2019, Juried, San Juan Island, WA

Harris Street Cafe, February 2019, Solo, Bellingham, WA

Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery, 2015 - 2017, Group, Prescott, AZ

Commissions:

Deer Hazel Boutique, Friday Harbor, WA

Education:

University of Washington,  Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Economics, Seattle, WA, 1995  

Prescott College, Masters of Arts, Art Education, Prescott, AZ, 2015