About Me
The artwork I have created over my time as a practicing artist consists of mostly two-dimensional drawing, mixed media abstract and still-life drawing in graphite. Additionally, I have completed many Lettering artworks in several hands/lettering styles - this was a favorite technique to learn as a student and to teach later to my own students. As well, I have made a line of small architecturally-inspired slab-built ceramic sculptures. Generally I’m inspired by Nature and intriguing objects, especially objects that are challenging to draw. Philosophically, I would say I have had a passion for drawing objects, exploring compositional possibilities and media combinations, much in the way Cincinnati-born hero Jim Dine pursued his artwork. In addition, nature and architecture are big inspirations in my work, especially nature as I often try to capture how I have felt or experienced certain times of the year or settings in our natural surroundings.
Originally I trained as a Graphic Designer, but also completed certification to teach K-12 art, which is what I chose as my life’s work. I am in my 27th year as a high school art teacher in a local public school district. When I have had the chance, however, I have taken on various Graphic Design jobs over the years, completing branding work for local Cincinnati-area craft breweries, small businesses, and my own two-person band.
I have been blessed to pursue my artwork over the years alongside my wife, Leslie Getz-Gilardi, herself an Art Educator and a far more successful artist with an extensive body of work that has reached audiences from coast to coast in the United States. Leslie and I have collaborated on several artworks over the years, and she has frequently been a source of inspiration and guidance for me as I have created my own work. Moving forward, as we have for years, we seek out new Art-related adventures that have frequently contributed to and inspired our creative efforts.
For the last several years I have split my creative time between work in visual arts with writing, creating, and performing Americana folk music with a friend in a two-person string band. We have had a six-year run of playing out at Cincinnati-area bars, breweries, and coffee shops. Furthermore, in late 2023/early 2024 I assisted my musical partner in recording an album of his solo work, adding guitar parts on several songs. See the links below, Shivelight is no more but First Light has risen in its place:
shivelightband.weebly.com
firstlightfolk.weebly.com
Additionally, I continue to pursue my passion in brewing beer here in my home brewery. My goal is to learn to brew excellent examples of as many different beer styles as possible, as well as create new styles of my own invention. I seek out judged competitions when I can to gain feedback from qualified beer judges and hopefully a few awards!
Education:
Master of Arts in Education, College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH, 2001
Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design, College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH, 1996
Assistant Gallery Curator, Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Cincinnati, OH, 1993-1995
Awards:
Butler County Brewing Society, "Fermentation Frenzy" brewing competition, 2nd place in class for Raspberry Wheat Ale, Hamilton, OH, 2023
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, John Nartker Award, Cincinnati, OH 2019
Brink Brewing Company, Artist Series "Keep the Glass" glassware design winner, December 2018, Cincinnati, OH
Fatheads Brewing Company, "Keep the Glass" promotional glassware design competition for Headhunter IPA Cincinnati release, Awarded 2nd place overall, 2018
Cincinnati Malt Infusers, "All American Homebrew Competition", 3rd place in class for Honey Lager beer, Cincinnati, OH, 2016
Curator:
Coffee Peddlar, Calls for Entries, 2011-2013
Juror:
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Exhibition of Mount Student Art and Design, 2019
Coffee Peddlar, Calls for Entries, 2011-2013
Publications:
Mount News, Mount St Joseph University, featured in article related to Brewing Sciences coursework at the University as an alum pursuing brewing training and details of my own brewing experiences, Cincinnati, OH, 2016
Madtree Brewing Company, "Joyride" Pale Ale Taphandle Art Design, Cincinnati, OH, 2015
Madtree Brewing Company, "Identity Crisis" Black India Pale Ale Taphandle Art Design, Cincinnati, OH, 2013
Artworks Cincinnati, Exposed: Top 100 Secret Artists of 2009, Invited Artist, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
Workshop Instructor:
Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Photo Transfer Workshop, Cincinnati, OH, 2023
Group Exhibitions:
Artworks Cincinnati, Secret ArtWorks, Group Show, Cincinnati, OH, 2019
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Alumni Excellence Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, 2019
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH 2019
Artworks Cincinnati, Secret ArtWorks, Group Show, Cincinnati, OH, 2018
Awakenings Gallery, Featured Artist, Cincinnati, OH, 2017
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH 2016
Coffee Peddlar, Not All Who Wander Are Lost, Harrison, OH, 2016
Red Tree Gallery, Texture, Cincinnati, OH, 2015
Red Tree Gallery, A Small Glimpse, Cincinnati, OH, 2015
Coffee Peddlar, Clearings in Mind, Harrison, OH, 2014
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH 2014
Venue 222, Three-artist exhibit April-July, Cincinnati, OH, 2014
Red Tree Gallery, A Small Glimpse, Cincinnati, OH, 2013
Red Tree Gallery, Evoke, Cincinnati, OH, 2013
Coffee Peddlar, Pressing, Harrison, OH, 2013
Visceral Gallery, Pendleton Art Center, Middletown, OH, 2013
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH 2012
Art Institute of Ohio - Cincinnati, What Those Who Teach Can Do, Mason, OH 2012
Circle Tail Fundraiser, Loveland, OH, 2012
Coffee Peddlar, Small Wanderings, Harrison, OH, 2012
RUA Studio/Gallery, Exhibit 99, Dayton, OH, 2011
Coffee Peddlar, Gratitude Rendered, Harrison, OH 2011
Coffee Peddlar, Embracing Nature, group show with Leslie Getz, Harrison, OH, 2011
Red Tree Gallery, Scapes, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2011
RUA Studio/Gallery, Small Works 2011, Dayton, OH, 2011
RUA Studio/Gallery, Portraying the Soul, Dayton, OH, 2011
Red Tree Gallery, Entry, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2011
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH, 2011
Convergys Gallery, Art Academy of Cincinnati High School Art Educator Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, 2011
Red Tree Gallery, A Small Glimpse, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
Artworks, Secret Artworks, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
Red Tree Gallery, Space: Real or Implied, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
Artworks Cincinnati, Exposed: Top 100 Secret Artists of 2009, Invited Artist, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
ZieherSmith,Postcards from the Edge, Visual Aids, New York, NY, 2010
Red Tree Gallery,November Show, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2009
Westin,Secret Artworks,group show, Cincinnati, OH, 2009
Fitton Center, Greater Hamilton Regional Exhibition, Juried Exhibit, Hamilton, OH, 2009
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, group show, Cincinnati, OH, 2009.
Metro Pictures, Postcards from the Edge, Visual Aids, New York, NY, 2009
Westin, Secret ArtWorks, Group Show, Cincinnati, OH, 2008.
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, Group Show, Cincinnati, OH, 2007.
James Cohan Gallery, Postcards from the Edge, Visual Aids, New York, NY, 2007.
Sikkema Jenkins & Co., Postcards from the Edge, Visual Aids, New York, NY, 2006.
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Alumni Exhibit, Senior Thesis, Student Show, Cincinnati, OH, 1993-1999
Originally I trained as a Graphic Designer, but also completed certification to teach K-12 art, which is what I chose as my life’s work. I am in my 27th year as a high school art teacher in a local public school district. When I have had the chance, however, I have taken on various Graphic Design jobs over the years, completing branding work for local Cincinnati-area craft breweries, small businesses, and my own two-person band.
I have been blessed to pursue my artwork over the years alongside my wife, Leslie Getz-Gilardi, herself an Art Educator and a far more successful artist with an extensive body of work that has reached audiences from coast to coast in the United States. Leslie and I have collaborated on several artworks over the years, and she has frequently been a source of inspiration and guidance for me as I have created my own work. Moving forward, as we have for years, we seek out new Art-related adventures that have frequently contributed to and inspired our creative efforts.
For the last several years I have split my creative time between work in visual arts with writing, creating, and performing Americana folk music with a friend in a two-person string band. We have had a six-year run of playing out at Cincinnati-area bars, breweries, and coffee shops. Furthermore, in late 2023/early 2024 I assisted my musical partner in recording an album of his solo work, adding guitar parts on several songs. See the links below, Shivelight is no more but First Light has risen in its place:
shivelightband.weebly.com
firstlightfolk.weebly.com
Additionally, I continue to pursue my passion in brewing beer here in my home brewery. My goal is to learn to brew excellent examples of as many different beer styles as possible, as well as create new styles of my own invention. I seek out judged competitions when I can to gain feedback from qualified beer judges and hopefully a few awards!
Education:
Master of Arts in Education, College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH, 2001
Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design, College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH, 1996
Assistant Gallery Curator, Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Cincinnati, OH, 1993-1995
Awards:
Butler County Brewing Society, "Fermentation Frenzy" brewing competition, 2nd place in class for Raspberry Wheat Ale, Hamilton, OH, 2023
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, John Nartker Award, Cincinnati, OH 2019
Brink Brewing Company, Artist Series "Keep the Glass" glassware design winner, December 2018, Cincinnati, OH
Fatheads Brewing Company, "Keep the Glass" promotional glassware design competition for Headhunter IPA Cincinnati release, Awarded 2nd place overall, 2018
Cincinnati Malt Infusers, "All American Homebrew Competition", 3rd place in class for Honey Lager beer, Cincinnati, OH, 2016
Curator:
Coffee Peddlar, Calls for Entries, 2011-2013
Juror:
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Exhibition of Mount Student Art and Design, 2019
Coffee Peddlar, Calls for Entries, 2011-2013
Publications:
Mount News, Mount St Joseph University, featured in article related to Brewing Sciences coursework at the University as an alum pursuing brewing training and details of my own brewing experiences, Cincinnati, OH, 2016
Madtree Brewing Company, "Joyride" Pale Ale Taphandle Art Design, Cincinnati, OH, 2015
Madtree Brewing Company, "Identity Crisis" Black India Pale Ale Taphandle Art Design, Cincinnati, OH, 2013
Artworks Cincinnati, Exposed: Top 100 Secret Artists of 2009, Invited Artist, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
Workshop Instructor:
Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Photo Transfer Workshop, Cincinnati, OH, 2023
Group Exhibitions:
Artworks Cincinnati, Secret ArtWorks, Group Show, Cincinnati, OH, 2019
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Alumni Excellence Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, 2019
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH 2019
Artworks Cincinnati, Secret ArtWorks, Group Show, Cincinnati, OH, 2018
Awakenings Gallery, Featured Artist, Cincinnati, OH, 2017
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH 2016
Coffee Peddlar, Not All Who Wander Are Lost, Harrison, OH, 2016
Red Tree Gallery, Texture, Cincinnati, OH, 2015
Red Tree Gallery, A Small Glimpse, Cincinnati, OH, 2015
Coffee Peddlar, Clearings in Mind, Harrison, OH, 2014
Studio San Giuseppe, Mount St. Joseph University, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH 2014
Venue 222, Three-artist exhibit April-July, Cincinnati, OH, 2014
Red Tree Gallery, A Small Glimpse, Cincinnati, OH, 2013
Red Tree Gallery, Evoke, Cincinnati, OH, 2013
Coffee Peddlar, Pressing, Harrison, OH, 2013
Visceral Gallery, Pendleton Art Center, Middletown, OH, 2013
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH 2012
Art Institute of Ohio - Cincinnati, What Those Who Teach Can Do, Mason, OH 2012
Circle Tail Fundraiser, Loveland, OH, 2012
Coffee Peddlar, Small Wanderings, Harrison, OH, 2012
RUA Studio/Gallery, Exhibit 99, Dayton, OH, 2011
Coffee Peddlar, Gratitude Rendered, Harrison, OH 2011
Coffee Peddlar, Embracing Nature, group show with Leslie Getz, Harrison, OH, 2011
Red Tree Gallery, Scapes, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2011
RUA Studio/Gallery, Small Works 2011, Dayton, OH, 2011
RUA Studio/Gallery, Portraying the Soul, Dayton, OH, 2011
Red Tree Gallery, Entry, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2011
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, Cincinnati, OH, 2011
Convergys Gallery, Art Academy of Cincinnati High School Art Educator Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, 2011
Red Tree Gallery, A Small Glimpse, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
Artworks, Secret Artworks, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
Red Tree Gallery, Space: Real or Implied, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
Artworks Cincinnati, Exposed: Top 100 Secret Artists of 2009, Invited Artist, Cincinnati, OH, 2010
ZieherSmith,Postcards from the Edge, Visual Aids, New York, NY, 2010
Red Tree Gallery,November Show, Juried Exhibit, Cincinnati, OH, 2009
Westin,Secret Artworks,group show, Cincinnati, OH, 2009
Fitton Center, Greater Hamilton Regional Exhibition, Juried Exhibit, Hamilton, OH, 2009
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, group show, Cincinnati, OH, 2009.
Metro Pictures, Postcards from the Edge, Visual Aids, New York, NY, 2009
Westin, Secret ArtWorks, Group Show, Cincinnati, OH, 2008.
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Parallel Visions, Group Show, Cincinnati, OH, 2007.
James Cohan Gallery, Postcards from the Edge, Visual Aids, New York, NY, 2007.
Sikkema Jenkins & Co., Postcards from the Edge, Visual Aids, New York, NY, 2006.
Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery, College of Mount St. Joseph, Alumni Exhibit, Senior Thesis, Student Show, Cincinnati, OH, 1993-1999