Artist Statement/Bio
Photographic Images
Painting Drawing Mixed Media
DOB 04/16/1957 NYC
Childhood
Before and after I could walk my parents would take me to the New York City museums, especially and frequently to the Museum of Modern Art located around the corner from dad's office, mom's fav.
I was a very well behaved good little boy, a virtual Romper Room Doobie if you recall the TV show. When I would get tired mom would sit me down on a couch or chair or I sat on the floor in front of a painting of mom's choice, she would walk the room while I sat mesmerized in front of a work of art. Mark Rothko must have been showing during my early years either at MOMA or one of the other museums we would go to. His work is deeply embedded in my mind, so much so I highly doubt even electro shock therapy could erase those wonderful early childhood memories.
After the museum mom would go shopping and drop me off at dad's advertising office, ( the moment was during the "madmen" era). The office was large with many artists and I would hang out with different people and watch, everyone was friendly.
So began my "apprenticeship"
Mom and Dad were art lovers, education and creativity was encouraged in our home.
Dad was a talented, successful commercial logo artist during the "madmen" advertising era. I would hang out there with my dads friend Al Gianni who worked on retouching dye transfers for Revlon. It was an upbeat, fun, intense workplace. My photo apprenticeship was with Paul Kopelow my mentor, instructor, and friend, it was the introduction to my career pursuit and one of the best experiences of my life. Dad conceived the original Coca Cola logo which is still used today, I like to use that style sometimes in my drawings along with some other styles of his. Gatoraide and Sound Design also ring in my memory, Phizer and Lilly seem to resurface often.
I played in a few different rock bands in jr. high and sr. high school preforming at school dances and private parties. The last concert was a benefit for cancer research as the lead guitarists girlfriend passed away from cancer, she was only 16 years old.
After school I painted houses, exterior in the warmer months, interiors in the winter. The family had a piano with a Grandma Moses winter scene hanging above. It had metallic sparkles and was magical. I enjoyed tinkling on simple classical piano pieces especially Fur Elise and looking at the painting at night. I use metallics in my work for the Grandma Moses dreamy fairytale kick.
Aduldthood
After Graduating High School I attended The School of Visual Arts in NYC. 6 months later dropped out of SVA and opened my photo studio in 1975
I met my wife in Central Park that year.
I worked in NYC for 22 years
as a fashion,
commercial and fine art photographer.
My wife and I ran an advertising agency
specializing in direct mail fashion.
A&S Gill Advertising
Gallery exhibitions with
overpainting on black and white photographs
was my fine art focus
I put together a solo exhibition
and participated in group shows
The year was1997
we packed all our belongings and
moved to Los Angeles CA
The City Of Angels
Inspiration engulfed my soul.
Soon after arriving I played an open mic on Sunset Blvd at the Croked Bar introducing my original composition 13 Angels
Lots of applause.
On the way home to my loft on Melrose Ave I wrote a song about the open Mic
I had imagined securing a job in the motion picture industry and found employment as the store
manager for Jay Ward Productions.
I knew all the characters it was an instant match.
Ramona Ward was an inspiring woman and an angel. She hired me for the store manager position and gave me extra work as photo instuctor for adult education classes. Ramona encouraged me to study at the store when there were no customers. I obtained my real estate license and purchased my first property which was a foreclosure condo in Echo Park.
FINALLY Home Ownership.
Breaking the rental cycle was a major accomplishment.
2004
Commencement of my
first painting on a canvas surface.
I was living on Latrobe St
in the LA hills near downtown
next to the park entrance.
I executed a drip painting in the kitchen utilizing
the sink for run off.
The window was open for ventilation.
My neighbor witnessed the scene
and Offered to Purchase!!!
I WAS INCREDIABLY INSPIRED.
and so began my obsession
with
painting, drawing and mixed media.
2 decades of works thusfar.
