Ink

Exploring mono-print while living in California broadened my understanding of acceptance and the practice of letting go. Ink behaves unpredictably. As I etched my figures, I couldn't wait to see the mirrored images looking back at me.

Oil + acrylic paint

During a class critique in college one of my painting professors said to me (in front of the entire class) "When you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose". I don't think I ever saw that man smile.

Acrylic + permanent markers

Hand me a fresh acrylic paint pen with a finely pointed brush tip, or a crisp dense smelly permanent Sharpie, and my night is made. And so are my Cards of Courage and customized wallpaper. You'll find that the designs and patterns I feature on them begin here.

Swirls: A diary written in paint.

I was out one night with friends in Pilsen. We had just finished an evening pottery class and we went for a drink near Thalia Hall. In front of the venue was promotional truck with a crowd of people around it. Sharpie was launching its newest line of acrylic paint pens and we were smack-dab in the middle of a giveaway event. A brand rep walked up to us and offered free samples. Like a kid in a candy store I accepted as many as I could, I mean they had brush tips!

This moment reignited my obsession with acrylic paint pens. The application of the paint and the internal rhythm of it all hit the spot. I found myself lost in this world for hours at a time, and I was creating my own personal visual language. "Swirling" became my therapy, a release, my diary, and my dog's worse nightmare. He would bark me out of my trances and adorably dog-tilt his head with concern. "Where did you go?"

Well, bub, I went here, into layers and layers of colorfully intertwined mind bends and vibrant chaos. The size of these pieces range from 1 to 4 feet so clearly I had a lot to say.

Pencil

Pencils are where my signature swirls originated. I have always doodled. (Do you recall the scent of a freshly sharpened pencil in elementary school?) Pencil work can be revealing—it provides insight into the artist. It can also get you into trouble at school.

Charcoal + craypas

(and maybe some skin for added texture)

I know something is up with me when I grab my charcoal, craypas and kneaded eraser. Like the time when I was broke, I cut open and laid flat paper shopping bags for "canvases". I just went at it, blending and pushing my finger tips to the extreme. My finger tips might have been colorfully shredded towards the end of the day but my mind sure was clear.