STATEMENT

For as long as I can remember, the visual arts have fascinated me. I was in awe early in life at the idea that a person could render the world around them accurately, or create something in complete contradiction with the natural order of things and still have it be considered a beautiful and real thing.

Having spent my youth in what was once rural North Carolina, just outside Charlotte, I developed a great attachment and attraction to the simplicity of the natural world. Though I can’t say that I always render the world in a natural way, I can say that for me the relationship that we as people have with nature, with each other, and with ourselves, is the driving force in my life. Because of this I have tried throughout my years to illustrate and capture this world the way I see it, and present to an audience the beauty that I see in the everyday. The beauty in all that is simple, even in that which might have been throwaway to another. It was then that I began to realize that with the simplification of line, applied against richly textured, vibrant backgrounds, found objects and folk influences, I could hope to present this art in the raw yet formal grace that is the world around us. Through layering of painterly strokes, graphic familiarity and vivid colors, I aim to embrace the viewers, but deliberately leave them guessing about the story. Provoking questions about individuals as well as a time and era of living that is becoming somewhat non-existent.

Because of this I would have to make comparisons to and have certainly been influenced by the American scene painters from Norman Rockwell, Ed Hopper, Thomas Hart Benton, and the brilliant, vibrant worlds of Van Gogh. Currently, the works Julian Schnabel, the pop-surrealists, Ron English, and Joe Coleman have been of great influence, and, of course, the list could continue for pages.

As an artist driven by this relationship with each other and with the world around us, I have found a natural transition towards public art. I have recently finished a second, large-scale public mural in the NoDa Arts District of Charlotte, NC. Now living there, I am able to see the immediate interaction of my neighbors, and visitors alike. Some notice, some don’t; some see it and smile. And perhaps, some see it and frown. Regardless of what they think, they are taking the time to engage in art. Many of them would not in a normal day come across, and certainly not go into an art gallery, but now are discussing art. And to me, that is a really cool thing.

2010

Als Ich Chan: A Tribute to NoDa. 1200 sq. ft. mural featuring 250 residents of the NoDa Arts District community. 3213 North Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC. Sponsored by Chris Ingram, David Laddish, Mike Crowley along with The Blind and Shutter Pros.

Trips for Kids, Charlotte. A 24-hour community mural painting event held on April 16-17, 2010. 1200 sq. ft. paint-by-number created on wooden pallets. Arts and Science Council grant with additional sponsorship from Valspar, Lowes, M/S Society, Barbizon Lighting, and the Jr. Chamber of Commerce.

Charlotte Crossroads. Onsite painting presentation and appearance. Friday, April 7, 2010 in NoDa Arts District, Charlotte, NC.

Battle Royale. Acrylic on wood. Painting collaboration with artists Tom Michaels and Travis Lakeman.

The Story of Rocky Raccoon. 19-piece illustrative series based on the lyrics of Rocky Raccoon, by the Beatles. Pen & ink on paper. BaKu Gallery, Charlotte, NC.

Mass Transit. Oil on wood. 6' x 4'. Commissioned by Jonathon Stillman, NJ.

2009

Changing Demographics. Commission and appearance at Festival in the Park, selected artist by Charlotte Crossroads. Oil on wooden pallet. 6' x 4'.

Art in Hand, The Charlotte Project. Nine of Clubs. Pen & ink on paper. 7" x 9".

The Joneses. Oil on wooden pallet. Dennis Jones and family, FL.

'Cause I've Seen Paris and I've Seen Midland. Oil and tile on wood door. Mark Anderson and Nici Conroy, NC.

Midnight Train from Asheville. Oil on 15-year-old wood planks. 4' x 4'. Brian & Sherrie Hardman, NC.

The Clontz. Oil on canvas. 6' x 3'. Matt & Julie Chandler, NC.

Smoke Break. Oil on wood. 5' x 4'. Chad & Mehryn, NC.

2008

Hey Diddle, Diddle... Latex and acrylic on concrete. 800 sq. ft. Commissioned by Greg Godley.

Night Ship. Pen & ink on paper. Elliot Terry, TX.

Oktoberfest. Pen & ink on paper. Elliot Terry, TX.

Who's Afraid of the Bearded Lady. Pen & ink on paper. 7" x 8", Dr. Robert and Judy Whaley, DVM.

Where Are the Wild Things. Pen & ink on paper. 6" x 10". Dr. Robert and Judy Whaley, DVM.

Viking Funeral. Pen & ink on paper. 6" x 5". Susan Lande, MI.

Portrait Series #1. Oil on canvas. 2' x 3'. April Cook, NY.

Ship with Sea Monster. Pen & ink study for Deathly Shallows. 6" x 7", Buyer unknown.

Goat. Pen & ink on paper. 5" x 8". For Damion. Chris Ingram, NC.

2007

Welcome to NoDa. 2424 N. Davidson Street, Oil and acrylic on concrete, 7,500 sq. ft mural. Commissioned by Greg Godley.