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. And
so began my "apprenticeship" at a tender age.
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, Gatoraide and Sound Design also ring in my memory, phizer and lilly seem to resurface from time to time. I remember Sound Design because I got to review and keep the system, wOw, what could be better than blasting Beatles, Led Zepplin, King Crimson, Larry Coryell, John Mclaughlin, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Kinks, Alice Cooper, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Frank Zappa, and so many more. My sister remembers that dad loved his work on the first Elvis Presley album, one his favorite assignments. I played in various rock bands in junior and senior high school, and was one of the yearbook photographers.
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
Met my wife in Central Park that year.
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.
Did a few exhibitions
In 1997 due to the inability to find an
affordable studio we moved to Los Angeles CA
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 a magical person.
I obtained a real estate sales associate license,
then a brokers license sold properties, won awards, shot polaroid's for the next 7 years and just had fun with my photography
2004
Commencement of my
first "Strait" painting on canvas
not overpaint on photos
as some of my earlier works display.
I was living on Latrobe St
in the LA hills next to the park entrance
executed the painting in the kitchen utilizing
the sink for drips
My neighbor saw me working on it
and offered to purchase.
I WAS INSPIRED.
and so began my obsession
with
painting, drawing and mixed media.
Soon to log in 2 decades of works.
Painting Drawing Mixed Media
I Define My Art Style as
Mid Century Modern Contemporary Outsider.
To break it down in simpler terms
Modern Primitive or Vice Versa
Compositions range from
bare minimal highlighted by negative space to complex psychedelic presentations incorporating concepts, theories and prevalent themes.
The mid century style stems form iconic influences Mark Rothko, Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Helen Frankenthaler, Adolf Gottlieb, Kazimir Malevich, Piet Mondrian, Sol Lewitt, Jackson Pollock, little works by Richard Tuttle and numerous others,
then branches out to take form from the viewpoint of a contemporary outsider venturing at times into the surreal, with the underlying theme tied into the subconscious, raw, brut, primitive in nature with strokes of Joan Miro, Basquiat,
Karel Appel and Eugenio Cuttica.
The primitive aspect of my work is an inherited subconscious trait. Reference 30,000 BC Paleolithic Shaman Artist, painting images of animals deep within European caves. Psychology/Biology seepage duly noted.
PHOTOGRAPHY
I revel in the astral projection of
my mind through the lens of the camera
bathing in the light
CURRENT
SERIES CONCENTRATIONS
Subconscious Evolution
Concept Images
Instant Film
Artists Statement
pOp Dolls
2005-2016
During my 11 year stay in Los Angeles and Palm Springs California 1997-2008 refuge and comfort were found at the La Luz de Jesus Gallery on Hollywood Blvd. It was there an affinity and devotion to the style of pop surrealism / lowbrow was formed.
2005 the first "pOp doll" was born.
A population of pOp dolls followed containing gene traits of Blythe, Barbie, Bratz, Living Dead, and Pullip, each Pop Doll having its own unique look and personality. No two pOp dolls are the same with the exception of the Siamese twins. Numerous editing steps are taken during conception, birth, and growth. Complex technical information is purposely omitted to insure individual traits. It would be an extremely difficult task to reproduce a pOp Doll except if it was cloned at birth.
Muses participating in this series of portraits communicated in advance to select clothing, accessories, and props. Exterior and interior locations of home and apartment sets were carefully planned. We collaborated on pre-production details to highlight aspects of personality, taste, interests, and skills, weaving their story as collaborators. Post production was executed by me. The photo sessions were always fun and interesting with the ultimate goal of producing a new, unique, refreshing pOp doll portraits for the muse and photographer.
All 200 pOp dolls are up for adoption seeking warm, safe, loving, caring homes, either temporary or permanent. Well behaved, never getting into trouble, and playing well with others describes their disposition. Pop Dolls have a lot of heart and can be recruited for worthy charitable causes.
