Water, Music, carpentry, and color

I was made in Hawaii and raised on the Chesapeake Bay and Oahu. I've lived and worked in Seattle, Washington and on Deer Isle, Maine. My studio is a short bike ride to Lake Michigan. It’s easy to see that water, light, and color strongly influence my work. The power and mystery of music also affect my work,

I can’t overstate the importance of music on my art and life.

A big chunk of my being is music. A kid of the 70's with a passion for Hendrix and the electric guitar brought me to The Berklee School of Music as a young man. There I eventually realized that I don't just listen to music. I see it. I see color in music. I see pulse in rhythm. It's physical to me, something I can touch.

As an aspiring artist I was fortunate to spend my early professional life as a carpenter and stair builder. Ultimately, crafting objects people interact with everyday, holding something I made with my hands is why I fell in love with carpentry.

These experiences fuse together in my art. I paint on three-dimensional surfaces constructed out of wood and other materials, My studio practice includes the use of shop tools and software, spray guns and sanders, swatch books and speakers, playlists and pencils.

Who are my influences?

I’ve always been drawn to the power of color and I’ve heard that the influences of Josef Albers and Ellsworth Kelly can be seen in my work. However, I owe a lot to the artists Bridget Riley, Martin Puryear and Bill Frisell. I admire their commitment to the creation of strong artistic statements that embrace life.

I’m looking to do more than just make music visible as I engage with my inspirations. I’m listening for clues, looking for rhythms, and seeing colors resonate as I work to create art that speaks to mysteries.