Artist Statement

My art explores social and environmental powers that effect our culture and then parallel those forces with my personal life story. Influenced by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida, these visual descriptors are often fragmented with unpredictable imagery charged with symbolism. My work is created using identifiable images that makes a narrative statement, but mostly it is created as a by-product from a love to create.

Through this love to create, I find that my process is very much like a performance - involving actors, settings, props, scripts and an audience. I see my art as mini stages that act out a short play or drama.

My work often uses both realistic and abstract forms that co-mingle to create contrast and variety. I also like to work with objects that I find and deconstruct new meaning for them. I then place these objects in some sort of historical event or nostalgic setting that reminds me of my childhood.

Though my preferred media is drawing, I have made a commitment to challenge myself to explore an integration of painting, drawing, collage, assemblage, video and various digital media. These self- created problems force me to think outside my comfort zone and research new solutions.

I am influenced by artists such as Richard Hamilton, Peter Blake, Jasper Johns, Larry Rivers and Andy Warhol. I tend to gravitate towards the works of the pop artists because of their commanding use of graphic images. Artists that I have personally worked with that have made tremendous influences on my work include: Howard Kanovitz, Larry Rivers, Robert Nelson, George Hughes, Dr. Jim Watson, Jerry Johnson, Mark Sisson and Ron Pakrasso.