CF: tell us a bit about yourself, when did you decide you wanted to study painting? how did you end up living in New York?
Well, I am from Allentown, PA and have been living in NYC for the past 6 years or so. Making my way to New York was a natural progression, my brother and tons of friends live here–it made sense, being an artist. I’ve been interested in drawing and painting since childhood, going to school for it seemed an easy choice.
CF: creepy, spooky, and weird, might be some of the words used to describe your pieces, yet they also seem playful and innocent. is this intentional? or is it simply your past experiences permeating through the canvas?
Yes, I think the way I put images together is playful. The dialogue with materials is always an outlet to get at something new, and I have always thrived off that. Counter-intuitive decision making and multiple influences co-existing in one space find their way into my vocabulary. I talk about the familiar and the foreign quite a bit. I feel the “creepy, spooky, and weird” sensation derives from activating these feelings.
“The dialogue with materials is always an outlet to get at something new, and I have always thrived off that…”
CF: what can you tell us about the often-colorful, bearded man on your drawings, where does he come from and why is he a recurring theme in your works?
My characters are a way of entering into a dialogue based on symbols and myth. The bearded men often embody ideas about masculinity, class, and personal ideologies.
CF: if you could soundtrack your work, what would you choose?
Captain Beefheart, Ry Cooder, and Howlin’ Wolf.
CF: what is your favorite thing about living in Brooklyn?
The availability to everything. I know this answer is common, but having constant access all the time is empowering.
“My characters are a way of entering into a dialogue based on symbols and myth…”
CF: tell us about your future plans? do you have any projects lined up? what do you see yourself working on as your career progresses?
Just showed with Nudashank Gallery at Aqua, Miami. New American Paintings MFA Annual #93 is due out in March-April. Other than that, really want to keep busy in the studio for a while.
