PERSONAL
Born in Flint, Michigan in 1951, I began painting in oil on canvas at the age of 14. By 1973, subject matter focused on what lay beneath appearances. Ten years later this search transformed into painting in spiritual themes, attempting to discern spiritual realities from religious orthodoxies. I have painted in themes for thirty years, developing a philosophy of collectivism premised on the requirements of individual motive and other paradox. I have been a self employed artist and sign painter for my adult life, having provided for a family of five.
EDUCATION
1969 Apprenticeship, Norm Selberg, The Art Department, Fargo, North Dakota
1972 Associate of Arts degree, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, Michigan
1973 Supersign, Boulder, Colorado
1975 Study with artist John Wilson, Stein Sign. Two years in-house sign painter, Spies Grocery
Chain, Watertown, South Dakota 1976 Continue work with Norm Selberg, Fargo, North Dakota
1985 Three years as a freelance scenic painter for Coaster Theater, Cannon Beach, Oregon
AWARDS
1976 HM, Brookings Community College, Brookings, South Dakota
1987 Best of Show, Purchase Award, “Tribunal”, Oregon Biennial, Portland ArtMuseum, Portland,
Oregon, Juror, James Demetrion, Director, Hirshhorn Museum,Washington, DC
1989 Honorable Mention, Mid-Michigan Exhibition, Midland, Michigan
1995 Sierra Arts Foundation, Award Grant, Reno, Nevada
1996 EA Grant, Gottlieb Foundation, New York, NY
2008 Artists Fellowship Grant, New York, NY
EXHIBITIONS & COMMISSIONS
1982 Regional Artist Show, Brookings College, Brookings South Dakota
1984 Mural Commission, City Council of Fenton, Michigan
1986 Piece accepted, Art Invitational, Clatsop Community College, Astoria, Oregon
1987 Show “Christ Series”. Seaside Library, Shirley Gibbons, Director, Seaside,Oregon
1987 “Christ Series”, Coaster Theater, Cannon Beach, Oregon
1987 Two pieces accepted, Oregon Biennial, Portland Art Museum, Portland Oregon (Best of Show, Purchase Award)
1987 Lecture on work at Clatsop Community College, Astoria Oregon
1989 Two pieces accepted, 31st Annual Mid-Michigan Exhibition, Midland, Michigan
1993 Commission: 14 Stations of the Cross, St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, Reno, Nevada
Publishing contract, Society of St. Paul, Staten Island, New York (continuing)
1994 One Man Show, pen and inks,Gene Speck Gallery, Reno, Nevada
1995 Cartoons for Stations of the Cross, lecture, 1st United Methodist, Reno, Nevada
1995 Invitational Exhibition, Sierra Arts Foundation, Reno, Nevada
1997 One Man Show, “Icon Series”, Mid-Town Gallery, Reno, Nevada
1996 Piece accepted: “Art in Religion” Sacrameno, California
1997 Rene-Andrews Gallery, Sacramento, California
1997 Group shows(2) Frank Hill Gallery, Reno, Nevada
1998 Group shows(3) Addi Gallery, Reno, Nevada Group shows(2)
2001 2 pieces accepted, alumni exhibition, NMC Denisen Museum, Traverse City, Michigan
2001 Invitational, Starving Artist Exhibition, Reno Nevad
2003 One Man Exhibition, Retrospective, Clatsop Community College, Astoria Oregon
2005 (to current) Gallery artist, T.anjuli Salon & Gallery, Seaside, Oregon
2009 Organizer for 350.org Art Exhibition for Climate Change Awareness, T.anjuli Gallery, Seaside, Oregon Clatsop College, Astoria, O
RENO COMMISSIONS
Baptismal Mural, Sacristy mural, 2 Portraits in Apse of St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral
17,000 sq ft. tromp l'oiel, City of Reno, head 5 person team
Washoe Country School District, Reno Nevada (15 murals)
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, Reno, Nevada (32 murals)
Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, California
Gym Floor logos & lettering, 12 high schools and colleges in California and Nevada, including UNR
Original logo design, hand letter 126 trucks and trailers, Bonanza Produce, Sparks, Nevada
OTHER COMMISSION LOCATIONS 1974-2009
Fenton, Michigan
Boulder, Colorado
Moorhead, Minnesota
Watertown, South Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota
Jamestown, North Dakota
Dickinson North Dakota
Evanston, Wyoming
Ventura, California
Vancouver, Washington
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Reno, Nevada
South Lake Tahoe, California
Fresno, California
Coalinga, California
Santa Barbara, California
Jewel, Oregon
Astoria, OregonSeaside, Oregon
acrylic/MDO
38:x 44:Copyright © Billy Lutz. All rights reserved.