Bold and Loose the Expressive work of Maestro Che ( aka Bald Ross )

At a young age my passion has always been the arts, drawing and painting has always been my escape. My passion for color and the pursuit of the mastery of the brush is always on the forefront of my mind. As a teaching artist for over 25+ years and counting, what I bring is the experience of an animator, graphic designer, illustrator and US Boxing Coach. This might sound like an interesting mix of life experiences, and you would be right. I have always felt that I don't fit in anyone's idea of me. I am a proud Chicano artist, I let my work speak for itself. I have definitely experienced life to the fullest in all of my endeavors. I love what I do, my creativity keeps me in the game. 

Maestro Che is a  Signature Member of the Northwest Watercolor Society ( NWWS ) , Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists ( PSG ) and also member of the American Watercolor Society . He also co-chaired the NWWS Waterworks 2013 and NWWS 74th International Open Exhibition 2014. Che was nominated to become the NWWS Vice-President for 2016-17 and President for the 2017-18 year.

Che is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, and has worked as a traditional cell  animator, web designer and commission artist since graduating high school. Che has taught at quite a few different schools over the years, including the Kirkland Arts Center, Pratt School of Fine Arts and Cloud 9 to list a few.

He is a USA Boxing Coach and was owner of Team Eastside MMA in Redmond, WA and has trained both pro and amateur Boxing, Muay Thai and MMA fighters from the Northwest since 2004. He still trains but mostly for himself but is always ready to help anyone that is looking for some pointers in the combat sports.

In 2020 he accepted the position of Visual Art Teacher at Atlas High School in West Seattle, where he currently teaches Art + Animation. He is  dedicating the second part of his career to  teach the next generation the love of art in the High School setting. He has also finished up his Masters in Secondary Education, and is happy and proud of all the work he has put in to get to this point in his career.

Exhibitions / Honors


  • 2023 - Sensational Siete / Group Show - Nepantla Cultural Art Center 
  • 2022 - Edmonds Plein Air Paint Out - 3rd Place - Cole Gallery, Edmonds WA
  • 2021 - Latinx in the Northwest - Nepantla Cultural Art Center
  • 2019 - Current - Nepantla Cultural Art Center - Group Shows
  • 2018 - Apparitions - Kirkland Art Center Group Show - Kirkland WA
  • 2018 - "Emergencia Artistica" Seattle MEXAM NW Festival - Group Show
  • 2017-18 - Northwest Watercolor Society President
  • 2016 - NWWS Waterworks Show - Bothell WA
  • 2015 - CoCa 24 Hour Art Marathon - Seattle WA
  • 2014 - NWWS Signiture Members Show
  • 2014 - Kenmore 16th Annual Art Show - Kenmore WA
  • 2014 - CoCa 24 Hour Art Marathon - Seattle WA
  • 2014 - Art of Watercolor, Kenmore City Hall - Kenmore, Wa.
  • 2013 - NWWS 73rd Annual Open Exhibition -  Mercer Island, Wa. 
  • 2012 - NWWS 72nd Annual Open Exhibition, Design Center - Seattle, Wa.
  • 2003 - Greenwood-Phinney Artwalk Jurors’ Choice -Seattle, Wa.
  • 2008 - Daniel Smith Employee Show, Daniel Smith Bellevue - Bellevue, Wa.
  • 2002 - Dia de Los Muertos Celebration, Phinney Gallery - Seattle, Wa.
  • 2002 - Amore Group Show, Eastbay Book Company - Seattle, Wa.
  • 2001 - La Casa de Artes Group Show, Phinney Gallery - Seattle, Wa.
  • 2001 - La Casa de Artes Group Show, Richard Hugo House Gallery - Seattle, WA

Juror

  • 2024 - Edmonds Art Festival 
  • 2018 - Mt.Si Artist Guild - Small Works Show - Snoqualmie Wa

Affiliations

  • 2014 - Present ~ Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists - Signature Member 
  • 2012 - Present ~ Northwest Watercolor Society - Signature Member
  • 2012 - Present ~ American Watercolor Society

Teaching and Demonstrating

  • 2020 - Current - Art & Animation -Teaching/Artist - Atlas High School - Seattle, WA
  • 2022 - Oregon Society of Artists - Portland, OR
  • 2018 - Seattle Col-Arts 5 Day Workshop - Samish Island, Wa
  • 2018 - Present ~ Acrylics 101 - Cloud 9 Art School, Bothell, Wa
  • 2015 - Present ~ Beginning Acrylics - Pratt Fine Arts Center , Seattle 
  • NWWS Co-chair ~ 2013 NWWS 74th Open International Exhibition / 2014 Waterworks 
  • 2008 to Present ~ Kirkland Arts Center - Watercolor 101, Teen Painting, Kirkland, Wa. 
  • 2007 to Present ~ Demonstrator and Workshop Teacher, Daniel Smith Art Supplies Stores, Seattle, Bellevue
  • 2010 - Present ~ Private Art Instructor

Education

  • 2024 - Grand Canyon University - Masters of Education
  • 1997  - Bachelors of Fine Arts, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, Wa.


Using Format