I’ve been drawing since I could hold a writing tool.  I started painting in high school, mainly doing reproductions of Monet paintings.  Then started my Bachelors of Fine Art from the University of North Texas and graduated in 2010.  For two years I studied contemporary realists that I found on the internet and learned and mastered my craft in still life realism. 

Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset

Then started my Masters of Fine Art at Texas Woman’s University in 2012 and graduated in May 2015.

What inspires you and your designs? 

Mainly anything that has to do with our ordinary day to day living.  Mix in a couple of complicated objects that I find interesting, like typewriters or vintage clocks, and I can be painting and recording our contemporary environments endlessly.  

What is your favorite piece?

Ah! This question is a little difficult! But to keep it short… In my aisle series “The Wine Aisle” is my favorite.  The scale of that painting is impressive at 120″ (10 feet) wide. 

My favorite still life piece would have to be “Caliente”.  “Caliente” is a perfect example of what interests me. The man made labels and designed texts, with colors that are meant to grab the consumer’s attention, will inevitably create a striking painting.  

How has the your area influenced your work? 

From what I’ve seen, in Texas, there is a lot of a “pushing the boundaries” mentality surrounding art.  Not that this type of mentality is bad or dumb, but this drove me to become more of a romantic when it comes to the act of painting.  I like to say that I am a product of a reaction to irony and sarcasm in contemporary art.  And I am here to increase a sense of sublime to our ongoing environments.  

What is your favorite restaurant in Dallas? 

Gosh, I love food.  Andaman, a local thai restaurant, has a killer chicken pad thai.  

What is your favorite cocktail? 

I keep it pretty simple with a whiskey and water.

How do you balance personal life and work? 

I like to think that I’m really good at putting my brushes down and living, but its becoming more and more difficult as I become more disciplined in my painting.  Meaning I can paint longer without fatiguing until I feel sick.  But I just found a studio space that I will move into within the week, which will help me come home and be at home without my painting staring at me in my peripheral. 

Dream trip? 

I am a pretty relaxed guy, so anything resort based.  Although now that I’m becoming older as each day passes, going to Europe to museum/gallery hop would be awesome.  Not only to see historical art, but some of my favorite contemporary painters as well. 

Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View 1991 Cornelia Parker born 1956 Presented by the Patrons of New Art (Special Purchase Fund) through the Tate Gallery Foundation 1995 https://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T06949

Dream commission?

I don’t really have one, but as I sit here listening to the dishwasher, something for the President of the United States would be pretty cool. 

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give? 

I do like it when I can offer a liquor of some kind, or making coffee in my Chemex for anyone who comes over.

 Who is your style icon? 

I definitely don’t have a style icon, but I do like to keep in style. Mostly with boots and bold-ish haircuts.  If I had to define it… a mix of Johnny Cash/Outsider/Insider.  

 Your favorite up and coming artist?

I’ve been following this artist from the UK, Neil Carroll, on Instagram and the atmosphere in his still life paintings is so beautiful.

What is your most treasured possession?

I don’t have a physical possession that I treasure, but I do treasure making memories and loving the present.

 What are you reading?

Currently I’m reading a textbook called Living with Art because I’m teaching Art Appreciation.  Very Exciting! ha!

What are you listening to? 

I am a very random music listener.  I appreciate all forms of music, the only thing I cannot naturally like is rap.  I have to force myself to break it down to bits and pieces of the music that I can learn to like.  But when I break down rap it comes down to basic patterning.  I need more things to move musically speaking!

What are your favorite blogs / publications?