When and why did your interest in art first begin?
As a child I had a very dark imagination. I saw creatures lurking behind every corner. By drawing pictures of the demons and monsters which plagued me I could gain some sense of control, some sense of understanding. I realized that the darkness was mine. I guess that art making has for me, become a bridge between the subconscious and the conscious mind. At an early age I realized that there was more to each of us than meets the eye. I believe that we each inhabit and embody a whole universe of creative potential.
What drives you to create the images you do? Are You trying to convey any particular messages with your art?
Sometimes I am driven by a particular vision of something I would like to see. More often I find that images sort of rise up and demand to be seen. Sometimes its hard to control the process. Much like dreaming. Although the dreamer is the creator of his/ her dream and is it’s sole author, the dreamer is also the audience for whom the dream is made. When things are really going smoothly I feel more like I am watching it happen.
Sometimes there are particular themes or messages in the work but I think art has it’s own language in which these themes and messages are conveyed. When I try to break it down in English it seems incomplete and misleading. Ideas are much more simple and pure than words, they are also much more vast and complex.
From what or whom do you get your influences?
A – First from nature. With it’s infinite variety of form, color, and texture, nature is the supreme artist. I first learned to see the beauty in nature through the making of art. How much detail and wonder that we find in a simple flower or a majestic landscape, depends on how we choose to see it. Art helps us tune in, and pay homage to the real beauty of creation.
With regard to artists there have been many who’s work and who’s ideas have helped me to see: Beksinski, Dali, Michaleangelo, Hans Belmer, Monet, Dr. Seuss, Craig Russell, Shay Amber, David Doepp, David Goetze, H.R. Giger, Roger Dean, Mucha, J.R. Tolkin, Simon Bisley, Berke Breathed, Joey Desormeaux, Matt Rousseau, and many more. With regard to teachers I would thank them all but especially, Denise Wisebard, Steven Kaplin, Larry Kresek, Susan Shepherd, and my Parents.
What are your goals? What do you strive for?
A – Artistically it has always just been my goal to participate in the collective of ideas. We often look at art and see reflections of other artist’s who’s work helped to inspire. I would only hope to send some ripples out into the pool of ideas and live long enough to see them manifest in the work of others.
What makes your approach unique?
Nothing…or rather, the same thing that makes everyone else’s approach unique.
How when and where did you receive your training as both and illustrator and a tattooist?
It’s hard to say exactly because sometimes our training is in disguise ie….(wax on, wax off). In a formal sense I Graduated from The Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL. Where I studied Fine Art and Illustration. I worked as a freelance illustrator and airbrush artist until a strange and compelling fascination led me to get into tattooing. After a lot of traveling trying to sell my first flash set, I finally found Bruce Bart Tattooing where I served a rigorous and exacting apprenticeship. I was lucky because Bruce had four shops and had me work in all of them. I have had the privilege to work with a bunch of great artists and learn from them all.
Because you work in such a variety of different mediums, which one do you prefer, if any, and why?
Although they all come down to the same basic issues, I certainly have focused the most on airbrushing and tattooing for the past several years. With the airbrush, I find I can work very quickly. This affords me a certain freedom of expression, as thought seems to translate immediately into substance.
Tattooing on the other hand is what keeps me grounded. It is the most challenging thing I do. It demands a great deal of concentration and forethought. I am not as relaxed about it as many of my peers. Everytime I do a tattoo it feels like a really big deal. With little to no room for error. It keeps me on my toes. While tattooing is mostly a business and a service industry it also dabbles in magic. We make art in flesh. We render a talisman or some symbol through pain and blood. Tattoos act as a window through which insightfull people see below the surface or they act as a shield protecting us from those who can not see past the surface. Tattoos have the power to play either a very positive or a very negative role in a persons life. In this short time we build our temple and we write our story only once.
How when and where did you receive your training as both and illustrator and a tattooist?
It’s hard to say exactly because sometimes our training is in disguise ie….(wax on, wax off).
In a formal sense I Graduated from The Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL. Where I studied Fine Art and Illustration. I worked as a freelance illustrator and airbrush artist until a strange and compelling fascination led me to get into tattooing. After a lot of traveling trying to sell my first flash set, I finally found Bruce Bart Tattooing where I served a rigorous and exacting apprenticeship. I was lucky because Bruce had four shops and had me work in all of them. I have had the privilege to work with a bunch of great artists and learn from them all.
Because you work in such a variety of different mediums, which one do you prefer, if any, and why?
Although they all come down to the same basic issues, I certainly have focused the most on airbrushing and tattooing for the past several years. With the airbrush, I find I can work very quickly. This affords me a certain freedom of expression, as thought seems to translate immediately into substance.
Tattooing on the other hand is what keeps me grounded. It is the most challenging thing I do. It demands a great deal of concentration and forethought. I am not as relaxed about it as many of my peers. Everytime I do a tattoo it feels like a really big deal. With little to no room for error. It keeps me on my toes. While tattooing is mostly a business and a service industry it also dabbles in magic. We make art in flesh. We render a talisman or some symbol through pain and blood. Tattoos act as a window through which insightfull people see below the surface or they act as a shield protecting us from those who can not see past the surface. Tattoos have the power to play either a very positive or a very negative role in a persons life. In this short time we build our temple and we write our story only once.
