My artwork originates from the gap between two different worlds—the privileged and working class. Living between the two and not able to solely belong to either one, I am constantly searching for connections and a sense of place.   I struggle with accepting myself as a participant in ether group.  I value both the physical prowess of manual labor, and the intellectualism of the elite.  I am interested in both group’s limitations and how...

My most recently pursued interests include a series in ceramics and painting, both dealing with gender roles and masculinity involved with young men in American culture. My paintings are the beginning of a series entitled, “In the Pursuit of Happiness.” They are selective instances from ordinary life situations. The scene in Spoon is an image of a young couple, content as they lay in bed together. The man is positioned behind the woman,...

The act of relating to other humans is what defines and maintains our species. When specific occurrences such as sex are introduced, the way in which we relate to individuals changes dramatically and immediately. The space this other person inhabits becomes loaded with meaning, and their belongings take on a new significance. For myself specifically, I was awakened to these ideas after a sexual experience, and was made increasingly aware of my...

“I remember my earliest crayon-scribbled pictures on that heavy paper from grade school: huge white mountains in the background, low green hills, creek coming down blue with black stones, a gabled house in the center, smoke scrawling gray out the chimney, a few people with hats.” - George Venn, Marking the Magic Circle Drawing is the most primal language of people; it is vibrant, experimental, and reveals integrity in both the maker...

My work explores the internalization of emotions expected in today’s American society. Everyone has thoughts or feelings that they can’t verbalize or express. So we lie, to ourselves to those around us and to those we love. Eventually this suppression of emotion will find a way to express itself in either a positive or a negative way. The recognition of my own inhibition of emotion came to light through my relationship with my wife. It is...

My current body of work focuses on the relationship between politeness and self-inhibition. I am interested in examining how people negotiate between considering the needs of others and asserting personal boundaries. All too often, I choose the well-laid path of compulsory niceness at the expense of honest communication and self-protection. While this is a struggle embedded in my own identity, I am interested in examining its connection to...