I have been receiving emails from students studying art. Many of them are writing specific essays. I feel blessed to be able to inspire or help out other artists. I thought it would help to include some of my answers here at my blog.
What artist influenced you growing up?
My two favorite artists growing up were Jackson Pollock and Bob Ross. Two totally different artists that I watched on camera and mimicked.
Where do your concepts come from?
My expression and artistic concepts come from all over – the colors of a sunset, an amazing work of art, music, my wife, the colors in my flower bed, an intimate curiousity with the way paint moves and mixes, crashing waves, a peaceful river, a love for life, etc.
Are your paintings planned?
Sometimes a painting is planned and the process goes smoothly. Sometimes a painting is not planned and the painting (colors and/or subject matter) changes drastically. Actually you will notice many layers of texture in certain paintings, these are the ones that went through an evolution of changes (some stages are very ugly). But in the end they take on a unique personality that could never be duplicated.
What is your studio like?
My work space is a studio I pieced together in my basement. I paint on a large wallpaper table. I have a stereo near by so I can paint to music. I have plans of building a barn style studio space on my property. I just have to finish building the chicken coop first
How much time do you spend on art?
Time spent on art depends on the weather and obviously the timing of all things in life. But I’m a full time artist and paintings can sometimes take weeks. I’m gearing up to get my work in many galleries along the east coast. If it’s raining or snowing I generally paint. On the sunny days, sometimes I will bring a canvas outside and experiment, but generally I do other things on nice days.
When did you decide you would become an artist?
When I was young, somewhere around 6 years old, I won a drawing contest. I drew my dad at his work or something like that. I think I got a basketball as the prize. But I remember thinking since then that I would be an artist.
Besides art what else are you interested in?
Besides art, I love to garden, play my guitar, hike, spend time with my wife and our dog, or help out at the farm next door. I’m married to a veterinarian, and believe it or not, she’s the one that tells me if a painting is good or bad.