Alan Brunk

Beginning in elementary school, I had a strong interest in art. I was fortunate to have a mentor, a local artist, that took an interest in my ability to draw. He helped me with composition and taught me about value shading. His older brother was also an artist and used to follow him around and do drawings of the subject mater that he was painting.

In high school, my interest was directed towards aerospace engineering so when I entered Oregon State, I enrolled in the school of engineering. At the end of my sophomore year, I decided that engineering was not my calling so changed my major to fine arts and transferred to the University of Oregon where I received a BA in Fine Arts. I applied for the masters program at the University of Washington, was accepted and completed my MFA degree in June of 1961.

I worked for Boeing Company as a graphic artist and a technical artist for two years before I started a career of teaching, art, mechanical drawing and shop classes at the high school level. I also taught ceramics through extension classes at Mt. Hood Community College and Clackamas Community College.

In 2001, my wife, Jani, and I purchased some land east of Toutle, WA where we built a home and an art studio/gallery, the Twosome Art Studio. The gallery is open to the public from Wednesday through Sunday. I joined the Columbian Artists Association and for several years was part of Artrails. I have on going exhibits in the Longview area, including the Longview Country Club, the Merc, the Kelso Pub, and the Cowlitz Human Services Department. I also have works in the CAA's spring and fall invitational's.