Where are you from originally?
I’m a Niagara County boy.
What is your medium?
I use oil paints and mediums including acrylics, sprays, charcoal, wax and egg washes in my work.
How has Buffalo influenced your work?
Buffalo is a significant force. I’m constantly influenced by context and urban dynamics living in the city. The romance of architectural and material preservation, use and decay is a heavy visual source for my work as well as the trees and green-spaces. Most of what I paint I find here.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My art is conceptual. I find its roots in everything.
Name an artist (or more) that most inspires you?
Magda Cordell and John McHale, Frida, Niki de Saint Phalle, Clyfford Still, Wolfgang Laib, Cindy Sherman, Robert Adams, Martin Puryear, Ursula von Rydingsvard, Cai Guo-Qiang, William Maggio
What is your preferred subject matter?
Typically I reference concepts that compose our environment or how we understand it; philosophies of perspective and time, ‘abstract’ history, physical systems and growth ratios, plant biology. My current series illustrates clonal identities.
What is another medium that you would like to learn?
I’d like to learn to cast although I’m sure it will get me into trouble.
Is there a purpose to your artwork?
To create exchange.
How often do you work on your art?
Every day.
What or who first prompted you to venture into the art world?
Kids in my kindergarten who needed things drawn and made requests.
Where is your current/next show in the city? Dates? Opening night?
Next is Echo Art Fair July 7, 8 at the Larkin Complex. Then in ‘Organismic’, an emerging and contemporary artist show at the Benjaman Gallery in August.
What’s your favorite movie?
Anything Miyazaki.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Buffalo?
I couldn’t say with too many delicious choices. But I love Chuck’s!
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
Being encouraged to think outside the box.
What’s the worst thing about being an artist?
Thinking outside the box.
Support our local artists. Here are a few more Buffalo artists, artisans and crafts people to brush up on:
Pat Pendleton, Kristin Damstetter, Alana Adetola Fajemisin, Sarah and John Cozzemera, Rob Hopkins, Jennifer Seth-Cimini, Elisabeth Strong, Michael Mulley, Patricia Schwimmer, Mikel Doktor, Jerome Greenberg, Elizabeth Leader, Jacqueline Welch, Doreen DeBoth, Joe Cascio, Candace Masters, Iris Kirkwood, Lukia Costello, Michael Morgulis, Julie Leatherbarrow, Chris Liberti, Michael Mararian, Daniel Rodgers, Bruce Adams, Ken Payne, Christina Cooke, Elise Anne Brooks, Frank Cravotta, Jackie Albarella, Gary Melius,Melissa Campbell, Jeff Quigley, Nancy Moran, Vincent Alejandro, Lisa Paolucci