I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t doing some sort of art. Whether it was winning a prize for a drawing I did when I was 4 years old, to ‘painting’ a celebrity’s face for an award show, to creating special twisted little paint by numbers for gifts…I have been making art of some kind my whole life.
I grew up in Los Angeles loving to draw, old Hollywood/horror films, rock n roll, and fashion. All of these elements became integral in my future. Throughout my youth I wanted to be many forms of artist, but I eventually decided on becoming a sfx (special effects) makeup artist. After attending The Institute of Studio Makeup, I got an apprenticeship with John Carl Beuchler (sfx guru), but punked out and instead did makeup for musicians and bands for years, living in NYC and Atlanta before finally settling back in Los Angeles to bolster my clients to include actors (when in Rome after all!). I have had many clients in my vast 30+ year career (from Soundgarden to Cyndi Lauper-from Kirk Douglas to Maggie Grace). And while I’m forever grateful for such a long and at times illustrious career, it was time to move on- which the pandemic afforded me the opportunity to do.
I have over the years continued to work on art, but it was the shut down during the pandemic that allowed me to concentrate on and hone what has become my burgeoning body of work.
My art is reflective of my (at times) warped and cynical view of our daily lives- what we hear and see/what shapes our perceptions and discord. I have pretty strident opinions and my pieces help to exorcise those demons.
To make these pieces I use collage to convey what message or opinion I want to get across. I love using something that would otherwise be disregarded or thrown away in my art. Combining this with bright, colorful and sometimes intricate backgrounds complete these oft times disturbing but always thought provoking art works.
Punk Rock Pop Art best describes my art. It’s controversial but fun, a bit cynical and ironic but poppy and bright.
That juxtaposition is the essence of my art…Darkness wrapped in Sunshine.
ARTIST STATEMENT ~
The dichotomy of everything…good and evil, love and hate, right and wrong…with all the colorful or bland craziness running rampant in the background. This is life…full of moments of distinct clarity and then moments of utter chaos, floating on a sea of uncertainty surrounded by hope.