Artist's Statement:
Artist's Statement:
I cannot say that there is one particular aspect of my life that has helped me create my artwork because most of the time, an idea for a piece of work comes to me when I least expect it. Listening to reggae, sitting at a stoplight, watching television, talking on the phone, and writing my artist statement, I have had ideas and thoughts about what would make a beautiful picture - and how I would love to paint it.
A wide range of artists - from Jean Michel Basquait to my good friend Bryan Heiden - influence my pieces. Having no formal art education, I have learned techniques, style, and ways to indulge myself into a piece of work by visiting galleries and art spaces and by studying the amazing abilities of both established and undiscovered artists alike. The diverse and ecletic techniques I use in my paintings and sletches are, in part, a result of literally staring at photographs of artwork in books and questioning local artists who have shown in our local art community on particular techniques they find useful.
While I was discovering the mediums I have now grown to love (oil and acrylic), I also began to fall in love with the simplicity of portraits and faces (in particular). Artwork is greatly defined by what the piece is saying to the viewer, and nothing explains a scenario or situation as clear as the expression of a face, or body language in a painting. When I paint, I hope to engulf the viewer in my portraits by helping them create their own interpretations of my artwork. Beyond sales and a polite compliment here or there, I search for my talent so that I may touch an individual that may have, for example, previously considered all artwork to be relatively similar. I hope that one day I will be approached by a fan of my work who will thank me for the pieces I create, and thank me for my artwork's vibrant and "alive" appearance. This would provide me with an excellent opportunity to explain how my work is created to be alive, because it comes from living life.
Click on the thumbnails to view larger images
| March 2004 | |
 "Jimi" - oil on canvas |
 "Free Jazz #1" - oil & acrylic |
 "Free Jazz #2" - oil & acrylic |
 "The Essential Sonny Rollins" - oil & acrylic |
 "The Soul of a Black Man" - oil on canvas |
 "ILikeHerEyes" - oil on particle board |
 "Once Upon a Time #1" - mixed media" |
 "Once Upon a Time #2" - mixed media" |
 "Mr. Cool" - oil on plywood |
 "Mingus" - oil on wood |
 "Miles" - oil on wood |
 "Blakey" - oil on wood |
 "Dizzy" - oil on wood |
 "Goodman" - oil on wood" |
 "Bob Marley Door (side 1)" |
 "Bob Marley Door (side 2)" |
| May 2004 | |
 "The Natural" - acrylic & oil on wood |
 "Live" - acrylic & oil on canvas |
 "Behind the Music" - acrylic & oil on wood |
 "Malcolm X" - acrylic on drywall |
Return to Main page
