I am a self-taught artist and photographer. I decided to pick up a brush a few years ago after more than twenty years and in that process have rediscovered aspects of myself, both personal and artistically. I had always wanted to try my hand at photography and so a few years ago I purchased a very simple, fully manual operated camera and began shooting. I was hooked instantly and have been shooting ever since and continue to build upon my skills as a photographer and as an artist in general. I believe the two are intertwined and are both one and the same, art.
I still have that simple manual camera along with several others, but I now work with a nice prosumer model digital camera. The camera has its various automatic settings, but it also has full manual control. This allows me to have full creative control over the shooting process and I predominantly shoot in manual mode. I will occasionally use one of my film cameras, but rely more and more on the digital format because of the immediacy of the results and ease of use in this digital age. As a photographer, I believe it is important to try and get get a good, strong and solid image from the start so that I am not relying on computer programs to "fix" the image. I do just the most basic of editing if necessary, but refrain from any other editing. I will do the occasional digital manipulation of an image to create an entirely different and original image such as the one above. I have developed a certain style where I try to incorporate some amount of abstraction since that is my signature style.
I am currently using an easy and portable set-up that allows me to customize and create images that are interesting and unique to the individual or the situation I am shooting. This utilizes both skill and some amount of chance which further enhances the nature of my style.
My painting is a cross between abstract and surreal. I love luxuriously rich jewel toned colors and so my paintings are very vibrant, very bold, and very expressive. I love to paint abstractions of themes or ideals. Many of my paintings originate from within my dreams as well as my thoughts of the world within and around me. I paint predominantly in oil and acrylic and occasionally pastel. My canvases are typically 24 x 30, but also have some smaller and some larger. I have discovered that people either really love my painting style, or they hate it, but that is all OK. They are after-all, mere expressions of the world in which I live.
My projects for 2009 include more painting, some with religious overtones and a giant commissioned 8' painting. I also plan to experiment more with photographic portraiture, nudes and themes. One project that I will be exploring are couples and capturing that certain inter-action that exists only between that couple and is unique to that couple. I wish to do so in a more sensuous manner while still maintaining genuine artistic integrity.
I look forward to creating original works of art to share with you and I appreciate your continued support in my creative endeavors. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you are in the Kansas City area and would like to schedule a photo shoot. I am also looking for interested and interesting individuals and couples to pose for shots which will be added to my portfolio.
Please come back again soon to see more of my work as I will continue to post past and present works of art.
