A Bit About Me
I was born in San Diego, California in 1981 and currently reside in Petersburg, Illinois. I received a BFA from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois in 2004. I have shown art pieces in galleries in Chicago, Petersburg, Elgin, Oakpark, and Springfield. Growing alp as an "Army Brat," I was exposed to many different customs, from Hawaii to Germany. It is this exposure to different cultures that sparked my interest in exploring the commonality of people in both time and space.
My preferred medium is spray paint, glass or plexiglass, wood, and supplies that can be found at any hardware store. I create a line drawing using Adobe Illustrator which is the basis for a single-use hand cut stencil. Due to this process and medium, the final image is unpredictable, and is only known once the piece is complete.
Artist Statement
I do not understand the world, and that is fine. Through research and art I am hoping to better understand how the world has gotten to where it is today. I theorize that as our environment changes, humans remain mostly the same. Literature such as Aesop's Fables, Confucianism, and the Bible (all of which are a few thousand years old) are still relevant today.
I take images from the past, some of which are a few hundred years old, and use modern methods to reinterpret them. After finding an image, I use Illustrator to create a line drawing. I print this out on paper and transfer to a piece of glass which gets covered in painter's tape. Next, I cut out the image using an X-Acto. The final step is to systematically remove the tape to reveal portions of the glass which is spray painted. Works are spray painted in stages as needed to put down different colors. This method is a one shot deal. If something goes wrong, I have to start all over.
I visually take inspiration from Pop art, especially Andy Warhol. While Warhol's works were mass produced with speed, mine consume a great deal of time to create. Other artists who inspire me include: Cindy Seaman's photographs which evoke a feeling of "I know it, but I can't place it," the sheen of Jeff Koons's sculptures, punk posters from the 80's and 90's and Japanese anime.