Artist Statement
“All is like a dream or a magic show”
Tibetan Buddhist treatise, 11th century
The work presented on this web site, represents a sampling of my creative output. I am an artist who is interested in many things, therefore my body of work tends to be eclectic.
My fascination with everything that encompasses my environment dictates the development of my work. I take an eclectic approach to art making. Creating art for me is like putting together a puzzle whose pieces are based on my personal mythology and once I’ve assembled this puzzle hope my creation speaks to the universal mythology inherent in us all.
When I create two-dimensional or three-dimensional works of art, there is a commonality of imagery that arises from little vignettes in my thoughts like still photos captured from a dream. These "thought impressions" become the basis of my work and the thread, which draws the work together. Once I complete a piece of art, it is up to the viewer to interpret the archetypal images, the metaphoric content, and the symbolic meanings that the viewer discerns based on their own subconscious dramas.
History
I grew up in South Western Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan where I was influenced by the woods, the fields and the beauty of Lake Michigan. Growing up in that environment, shaped the way I perceived the world and allowed me to develop my interest in art and creativity. In the late 1970’s I attended undergraduate school at Western Michigan State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Graphic Design and Painting. Upon graduation, I moved to Chicago where I worked as a Graphic Designer. While in Chicago I was exposed to a plethora of creative energy which influenced my early creative endeavor’s. After a period of time in Chicago a creative opportunity presented itself to me which required me to move to South Bend, Indiana where I worked as a graphic designer. It was in South Bend that I began my professional career as a Painter and Sculptor in earnest. While living and working in South Bend, I began showing my fine art work in galleries throughout the Mid-west. In the mid 1980's I accepted a position as a Graphic Designer on the east coast and moved to Connecticut. By the late 1980's I decided to go to graduate school and moved to New York City where I attended graduate school at the School of Visual Arts. I received a Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1989 and afterwards I returned to Connecticut. In 1991 I accepted a teaching position at the University of New Haven and taught there while I pursued my fine art career. By the late 1990's I took it upon myself to learn how to weld. Once I accomplished that, I began to make large metal fabricated sculptures. Currently, I continue to teach as a full-time Professor of Graphic Design at Western Connecticut State University and I paint, sculpt, and design. I live with my family in Litchfield county in the beautiful Northwest Hills of Connecticut.
My artwork has been shown extensively and can be found in many public and private collections throughout the United States.
“All is like a dream or a magic show”
Tibetan Buddhist treatise, 11th century
The work presented on this web site, represents a sampling of my creative output. I am an artist who is interested in many things, therefore my body of work tends to be eclectic.
My fascination with everything that encompasses my environment dictates the development of my work. I take an eclectic approach to art making. Creating art for me is like putting together a puzzle whose pieces are based on my personal mythology and once I’ve assembled this puzzle hope my creation speaks to the universal mythology inherent in us all.
When I create two-dimensional or three-dimensional works of art, there is a commonality of imagery that arises from little vignettes in my thoughts like still photos captured from a dream. These "thought impressions" become the basis of my work and the thread, which draws the work together. Once I complete a piece of art, it is up to the viewer to interpret the archetypal images, the metaphoric content, and the symbolic meanings that the viewer discerns based on their own subconscious dramas.
History
I grew up in South Western Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan where I was influenced by the woods, the fields and the beauty of Lake Michigan. Growing up in that environment, shaped the way I perceived the world and allowed me to develop my interest in art and creativity. In the late 1970’s I attended undergraduate school at Western Michigan State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Graphic Design and Painting. Upon graduation, I moved to Chicago where I worked as a Graphic Designer. While in Chicago I was exposed to a plethora of creative energy which influenced my early creative endeavor’s. After a period of time in Chicago a creative opportunity presented itself to me which required me to move to South Bend, Indiana where I worked as a graphic designer. It was in South Bend that I began my professional career as a Painter and Sculptor in earnest. While living and working in South Bend, I began showing my fine art work in galleries throughout the Mid-west. In the mid 1980's I accepted a position as a Graphic Designer on the east coast and moved to Connecticut. By the late 1980's I decided to go to graduate school and moved to New York City where I attended graduate school at the School of Visual Arts. I received a Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1989 and afterwards I returned to Connecticut. In 1991 I accepted a teaching position at the University of New Haven and taught there while I pursued my fine art career. By the late 1990's I took it upon myself to learn how to weld. Once I accomplished that, I began to make large metal fabricated sculptures. Currently, I continue to teach as a full-time Professor of Graphic Design at Western Connecticut State University and I paint, sculpt, and design. I live with my family in Litchfield county in the beautiful Northwest Hills of Connecticut.
My artwork has been shown extensively and can be found in many public and private collections throughout the United States.
