Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Baldwinsvile, NY, a small town outside Syracuse. I moved here for college in 1996 and decided to make Buffalo my home.
What is your medium?
I work in polymer clay, a man made oven bake clay, and acrylic paint. With the clay I make one of a kind, hand sculpted monsters and art dolls.
What is your preferred subject matter?
My subject matter frequently revolves around Halloween and horror with a humorous twist.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
It is inspired by my childhood obsession with horror movies, comic books, and dark spooky stories. I remember reading stories over and over in a book my parents owned about the history of Dracula, werewolves, a Queen who bathed in blood, and the horrors of mankind. For some reason I was fascinated by this and it never left and constantly creeps in to my artwork.
Is there a purpose to your artwork?
They are strictly for decorative use made for collecting. They serve no bigger purpose than making people chuckle, hopefully, and to take up shelf space. I do not take my self all that serious and just hope to make people smile with my strange little creatures, or in some cases cringe.
How do you feel you can best advance to the next level, or are you most happy where you are now?
I have worked in a lot of different mediums throughout my life. Clay was one of them, also drawing, etching, watercolor, oils, acrylic and more.
What is another medium that you would like to learn? Or that you have already learned?
Going back to some drawing and painting is definitely in my head a lot so I think that will be coming about in the next year or so.
How often do you work on your art?
I work on my art almost daily and try to put a few hours,or more, into it each day.
I feel that by working on my art as much as possible it keeps me moving moving forward and inspired. As I am working I often come up with new ideas for my next project and it keeps me advancing in my progress and art. I am pretty happy with where I am at with my work, but of course there is always room for improvement.
Where is your favorite venue in Buffalo to exhibit?
My favorite venue to exhibit is the art festivals. I love interacting with people, seeing reaction to my work, and enjoying all the wonderful art Buffalo has to offer. It is such a great experience.
Where is your current/next show in the city?
My first show located in Buffalo for the year will be the Para/Horror convention in Niagara Falls at the Rapids theater on May 4th. Should be a good time.
Anything else?
I can be found online at www.mealymonsterland.com or at 464 Gallery on Amherst Street.
More Greater Buffalo artists and artisans…
Tara Sasiadek, Veronica Kruger, Larry Allen, Dana Saylor, Sean Madden, Paul Rybarczyk, Beth Pederson, Robert Schulman, Paul Klonowski, Betty J. Pitts-Foster, Carol Case Siracuse, Alejandro Gutierrez, Paul Alico, John Sargent, Deborah Stewart, 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, Patti Harris, Eileen Graetz, Rita Argen Auerbach, Dianne Baker, Norine Spurling, Margaret Raab, Ingrid Luongo, Joseph Stanek