Artist Statement

I am a firm believer that all people are the same. Despite subtle differences in personality and experience, we live the same lives; family, career, life and death. We all face the same obstacles regardless of social or economic status. Being able to translate these experiences into a work of art is what makes me a great artist. My artwork is derived from a myriad of sources and influences. When I create my artwork I am only competing with myself with an objective to create something that is of interest to me. If I can surprise or shock myself, this is the path that I will pursue. The experience being expressed as a work of art will encourage others to understand and appreciate what I am presenting. When my work is completed, we share this common experience, ideally, together. Topics like fear, boredom, death, the inevitable, confrontation, acceptance or monotony are common threads that run through my artwork. Some perceive my artwork as being highly cynical. It is not truly cynical. As ominous or morose as my subject matter can be along with the crude and dramatic technique in which they are presented charges my artwork with a sense of brutal honesty and black humor. To my estimation my artwork is cathartic and comforting as opposed to cynical. It is when we try to deny the inevitable that pessimism and fear cloud our judgment. For example, one of my most recent works, "And the Kids Just Love It!", is a comment on contemporary society. This piece addresses fear and consumerism. It is satirical in nature because of its foreboding presence and its sinister purpose. Considering the current climate in the world, particularly the United States, this mock "product", if you will, punctuates how far people will go to maintain the illusion of security.