ARTIST STATEMENT:
My metal and paintings combined merge into a bigger than life interactive surrealist world depicting my past memories, American Indian culture and world travel experiences, along with the designs, symbols and characters of my imagination.
As a child and even through my teenage years, I loved drawing and doodling rockets, characters, portraits of people and odd shapes. I was influenced by growing up in the San Francisco Bay area (along with skateboarding, walking in Berkley, California and other suburbs on the outskirts of “The Big City”), as well as the family road trips traveling along Route 66 through the Painted Desert in the 70’s and 80's. The visuals of city life combined with the smell of the ocean and first seeing Bill Grahams Fillmore Rock Posters, and Black Light Posters transcended me into a psychedelic, free flowing approach to art. Late in my teens I found myself drawn to the greats (Dali, Picasso, Miro) who also merged their influence into my minds eye.
In 1990 I signed up with the United States Naval Service and became a Hull Technician on the U.S.S. Yellowstone. While on the Yellowstone I learned the skill of welding, brazing and fabricating different types of metals. After being honorably discharged in 1993, I took to the work field welding until 1997. I realized I was attracted to the metal not for my skill, but for the newfound canvas that lay before me. I lit my torch and began cutting. The metal and my imagination guided my hand to a new discovery.
In 2000 I began painting and discovered I loved paint and the combining of colors. I was able to tap into who I was and my artistry could grow with this process for years. My metal and painting would soon merge into my Art Form.