Can you tell us about your background as an artist? How did you first become interested in art?

I was always interested in and liked art — as far back as I can remember. Art and music. Growing up my parents were hair stylists and my dad was an artist and musician, so they were creative and had creative friends. I always had wacky art pieces in my room and there was art around the house. I was never pressured into being an artist, like no expectations, which was cool on them. I could’ve done whatever, but that’s what I was interested in. I took art electives all the way back through elementary school, but when it was time to think about college I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I ended up getting my associates at a community college and while there took a lot of studio classes. I remember being in my last semester in a drawing class at 7 am and thinking to myself that if I wanted to continue my college career, this is what I want to do, so I ended up going to art school to get my BFA in painting. My work has always had multimedia components, lots of college. I use scissors in my paintings almost as much as I use a brush, which is funny cause now I’m a salon apprentice working towards being a hairstylist as well. Nature or nurture?

Your artwork in Open Theme is titled, 'Through the Tube'. Can you tell us more about this piece/ its meaning?

Yea, this piece is one that has come out of a new series, one I have been thinking of as “cosmic teenage boardwalk and beach.” That’s not the name of the series or anything, it’s just what’s been on my mind when I’ve been making this work. Kind of surreal, kind of silly, Jersey beach in space. As far as the title I don’t know, I thought it a fitting description of a surfer shootin’ the curl through two different dimensions. Pretty stellar, pretty tubular dude.

What draws you to this subject matter, and how does it inform your creative process?

As a kid, being around art at home drew me to work that was more than a flat, 2D surface. I just liked something about stuff physically coming off the canvas. In my practice there’s a lot of emphasis on the materiality or “objectness” of the work. Lots of found objects, repurposing and unconventional painting surfaces. I almost never, and I mean like maybe .01% of the time, paint on canvas.

How do you navigate creative blocks or challenges in your artistic practice?

Ijust work all the time. Work through the blocks. Of course you’re gonna produce work that’s lackluster or that doesn’t live up to your better pieces, but that’s ok! You can’t be “on” 100% of the time. It’s the bad stuff that brings you to the good stuff. I like to switch gears with the kind of work I’m doing. For a few weeks painting will be really clicking, then when it isn’t maybe I’ll do some small work on paper or switch to songwriting. It happens organically, whatever’s working at the moment I just run with it. Each discipline informs the other. I feel it’s all related.

What mediums do you primarily work with, and why? Do you have a favorite medium or technique?

I love to do it all, and it’s all one body of work to me. Whatever it is, I find it's just important to always be doing something. It doesn’t matter what, just keep busy. It’s good for you. I’ve really gotten into gardening in the past few years and I guess that’s creative, too. Just don’t let yourself get bored.

What influences or sources of inspiration inform your artistic practice?

Not purposefully, but whatever’s going on in my life will inform the work. I’ll look at things I’ve made in hindsight and think, well, that makes sense. It’s probably more ambiguous in my visual work, but sometimes the music I make is deeply personal. At times I wish it wasn’t so. It can be tough to put it all out there or feel like you’re being so revealing or something. But it’s what comes out organically — and lately I’ve been big on the mantra “think it, do it.” As far as influences…bright colors, old mid-century toys and their merchandising. I love a good toy ray-gun or robot box. Wacky stuff like children’s books, Dr. Seuss, outsider art, Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, psychedelic gobbledygook. I’ll say fun again. 

What do you hope viewers take away from your art? Are there any messages or emotions you aim to convey?

Fun! I can’t say it enough. It’s probably getting old at this point, but I just want to have fun with it. Don’t take it too seriously, and just do whatever comes to the surface in that pool of thoughts swirling around in your head. 

How do you see your art evolving in the future? Are there any new techniques or ideas that you're excited to explore?

I am not totally sure — it’s always changing. I do like to give myself assignments, or set personal goals in a way I maybe didn’t before. I'll think of themes for work before I start, but typically whatever I was working on previously brings me there. It’s natural. I feel each piece is part of the next. I’ve also been into functional art lately. Things people can use in their homes, but still be unique, original works of art.

Finally, what advice would you offer to aspiring artists who are just starting their creative journey?

One last time… have fun. Don’t sweat it, don’t overthink it, just do it and enjoy it. The moment you doubt yourself or harp on whether something’s a good idea or not, you’re making work for some fictional viewer in your mind and worrying about hypothetical judgement. Who cares? Do it for you.