Artist Statement

Do you remember the passage in J.D. Salinger’s Franny and Zooey, where Zooey steps into Seymour and Buddy’s old room and reads the quotes Seymour wrote on the back of the door? That moment hooked me forever on the power of quotations. Quotes are like notes sent off with you to school, saying that you’re ready to invest in ideas.
Newton was right: I’ve stood on the shoulders of  my giants.

I can’t imagine writing an artist statement without acknowledging my teachers. My kind and generous teachers. Like Prometheus—they brought fire to my mind. Their sparks of enthusiasm ignited my curiosity and illuminated my path, a treasure hunt of discovery and art.

“Read this. Look at this. Maybe try it this way. Have you heard of this? Go see this film, this exhibit…” Their encouragement was constant, and their sincerity was contagious. Mr. Magnotta, Vinnie Straka, Sr. Carr, Sean Kernan, Ralph Gibson, a touch of Eva Rubenstein, and Nelson Denny—all of them, in their own way, were my mentors. In truth, they saved my life. Everything you see here is a reflection of their kindness and generosity.

My gratitude is my artist statement. “Plow back into goodness what goodness has given you.”

If something here pleases or inspires you, don’t thank me—thank them. Then, go create something of your own, and pass it along. It is the way!
Just ask Mussorgsky, how it works.
This hope for art—to express, to inspire, to share—feels as old as humanity itself. I think it’s etched on the walls of a cave somewhere, beneath a long-forgotten drawing by an artist who felt the same urge to create and connect.