Congratulations to our

Spencer was awarded second place for his oil on canvas

Stream Of Consciousness.

About Spencer:

Spencer Frazer, the founder of SOG Specialty Knives and Tools, has been known as one of the industry's foremost designers of innovative award-winning outdoor gear. He is also a master Japanese aesthetic pruner and garden builder. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, he grew up next to the Museum of Art in Hancock Park. He and his family visited often, and he loved to walk around the halls and architecture. It was an early influence. In the 70's, there was a robust art community in Venice Beach that his girlfriend was part of. Spencer was more involved in the music scene, studying jazz guitar, but he was interested in the process and collaboration that she was part of. At the same time, he discovered a love for Japanese culture and their art, bonsai, and gardening. Japanese gardening requires extreme patience since it takes decades to perfect (although there is no such thing). Eventually, he started painting to capture the essence of the garden. Both of these practices fuel each other as they share basic principles of composition, scale, balance, and layering. Spencer continues to practice 'living sculpture' in the garden shaping trees to bring out the best in them. He states: I would also be remiss not to mention the years I had as a designer that taught me the artistry that can be embodied in a product.  

Spencer moved to Seattle in the early 90's to be closer to the outdoors. Exploring the wilds of Alaska and Canada, he became passionate about the environment.

Spencer's work is collected regionally and has been shown nationally. He was the artist in residence at Artsfund, one of the leading art organizations in the Northwest. His work has been seen by millions on national news features that include CBS This Morning, Washington Post, CNN International, Fox News, etc., as well as numerous online media.

Some of Spencer's recent important juried exhibitions include: 

2014-15 Symmetra Corporate Solo Exhibit 

2014 National Weather Exhibition Group Show Oklahoma

2015-16 Artsfund Artist in Residence Solo Exhibit Seattle 

2020 CVG Group Show Bremerton, WA 

2021 Woodwalk Gallery Group Show Wisconsin 

2021 YWCA public works unveiling event Seattle 

2021 Juried selection for international publication Artistonish

2021 Las Laguna art gallery Painterly Group Exhibition

2021 Exhibizone Diversia Nature group Exhibition

Artist Statement

Since ancient times man has used art to tell stories and document events. My work follows in this tradition with a commentary around global climate change. Often using wildlife to create a point of view, the paintings depict the results of the human impact upon nature. They have us question what is and what will be.

Nature has always fascinated me. When I moved to the Northwest in the early 90's, I became enamored with the power, beauty, and spirit of the land. It was a visual revelation that I attempt to communicate in every piece. 

Embedded with a unique visual language of intricate and subliminal patterns, the work bridges the literal and the imaginative. It is informed by NW indigenous art as well as other cultures. In my process, I break down images into smaller bits of information, allowing the viewer to reconstruct it. This dynamic interface builds the story in the eyes of each person.

Though Covid was the issue of the year, the environmental crisis is the issue of the century. 

I hope my work inspires people to be a part of the solution.

About Stream of Consciousness: 

Stream of Consciousness is my Covid 2020 piece. It tells a story of our time, of an endangered planet due to man's meddling. It does it in a way by showing the interrelations between the animals and especially around the life cycle of the salmon. This NW scene presides over the mountain background that represents the follies of man. A close look reveals a complex symbolism that depicts: rising seas, pollution on the ocean floor, indiscriminate netting of our fish, marine air & land transportation impacts, air pollution with the many toxic chemicals, the felling of forests, wildfires, industrialization, the loss of biodiversity, destruction by hunting, etc. My work uses symbols and patterns that stimulate the eye and creates a visual tapestry. This makes for an interactive viewing experience where one is able to visually build, deconstruct, and interpret. 

Spencer's work is collected regionally and has been shown nationally. He was the artist in residence at Artsfund, one of the leading art organizations in the Northwest. His work has been seen by millions on national news features that include CBS This Morning, Washington Post, CNN International, Fox News, etc., as well as numerous online media.