Bio

I love surrealism, It suites my humour, and my intellect. Attention to detail is very important to me…but then so is the big picture. I dwell comfortably in both realms. I have always loved and appreciated art, and have always been an artist, but just hadn’t accepted the label until recently. As far as art goes I am “Out of the closet” so to speak. When the work is going well, then the world is a beautiful place filled with unicorns and rainbows where everyone is in unity, and there is candy everywhere. When it’s going badly, I couldn’t give a rats ass as to who’s keeping the unicorns fed, and there is a black hole sucking up everything just to the left of Saturn. Thankfully, that is seldom. Usually the unicorns are all good. I am grateful that I can covey my images in such a way as to convey another reality to my audience.

Some words that have been used to describe my work are: (these are what other people have said so it’s not my fault)

Possessed, twisted, odd, weird, awesome, amazing, curious, intelligent, witty, detailed, bright, strong, visionary, frightening, button pushing, disturbing, ART, edgy, a really good deal, Provocative, intriguing, upsetting, unsettling, engrossing, Savory, involved, epic, hilarious, Interesting subjects, Facinating, Inscrutable, puzzling

I like my paintbrush. It’s helps me to channel my message in a way that is beyond the barriers of language. I like to work on all textures. From wood panel to old weathered suitcases, all surfaces have potential.

When a piece turns out well, I giggle. It’s gets me hyper happy. It flows just right, and doesn’t feel like a root canal or anal retentive control mongering. Also, I know it’s good when people get inspired by it, and start to tell me what they think it’s about, and they get that “brain face” where you know it’s hit them somewhere down in the corpus colosum.

I use a lot of eyes and faces in my work. I like to show expression as much as possible. I enjoy watching people respond to it. I select materials for pieces based on what excites me at that moment. I like texture, but I also like detail, so it depends on my mood. I like to blend a lot, I like to have a strong light source, and sometimes the way my brush responds to different textures that I paint on, inspires me. I like the scratching noises it makes.

I am self taught, but have had a lot of "encouragement".

I love the experience of conveying an image, and having people intereperet it. Each person has their own story, and they are usually quite avid about telling it, especially when they see my work. It tends to provoke narrative. I find it inspiring. I would like to possibly illustrate a book of work on installations that open peoples brains to the world of their own narratives. I want to encourage creative energy.

I usually have a vision of what I want to do. I am a picture thinker. I often take the vision and play with it, and intuit what direction to take it. I experiment and play with materials and textures that excite my brain. There doesn’t seem to be an end to inspiration. I choose themes based on whatever seems to grab my attention the most…or a mood I am in. I roll with whatever comes my way. I have an affinity for old textures, rust, paint, wood. Uneven and weathered.

I am currently exploring more texture in my work, but also maintaining the fine rendering. I occasionally add collage, and wall paper, but am predominantly painting. I like to challenge myself by taking on new projects with ridiculous deadlines so that I don’t have time to get too precious about anything. That way I can explore a wide range of ideas without getting stuck in a creative dogma of my own making.

When I work with textures I am reminded that sound is as inspiring as colour. I begin a piece by dreaming. I know a piece is done when I can’t paint on it anymore. When my work is going well, I am filled with a sense of carnal glee. When people see my work, I'd like them to complete the narrative.