This is Me
Why I Do What I do
LOVE! That’s as simply as I can put it. If you want another adjective - PASSION!
When I make art, I find my flow state. I get lost in the process, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be. It’s exhilarating! It can also be terrifying.
In the end, it’s always rewarding.
The Name of the Game Is… Process
Here you can see me staring intently at my artwork - deliberating on which pieces are worthy of being printed, and which should come first.
This may come as a surprise, or it may not. I spend a lot of time just looking… analyzing… appreciating. What is the intent of a piece? How can I bring it to life? How can I make an old idea uniquely my own?
My chosen medium is watercolor, but it’s evolved quite a bit over time to be multi-medium majority of the time.
Calligraphy nibs, for linework; paintbrushes, for watercolor and acrylic; a tattoo machine, for dotwork.
My style developed from the love of tattoos - I was very intentional in the mediums that I chose. Calligraphy nibs require you to apply precise and even pressure. Watercolor emulates shading in gradients, and creating layers. The tattoo machine probably doesn’t need explanation :P
If you take a peek at my gallery, you will see an abundance of black and grey designs. Some of my friends jest that I use ‘water-blacks’ instead of water-colors. I mix India Black Ink with water to create gradients and depth in designs. Now that I’ve branched into color - my ‘water-blacks’ are still just as important. Pre-shading was one of the first concepts I was introduced to when I started getting tattooed, and I definitely pre-shade my designs. Even with multiple layers of color on top - you can definitely feel the depth.
Outside of Art
I grew up in the mountains of Colorado - where bears sauntering onto the deck was commonplace. I definitely think that fostered a strong connection with the natural, and mountains will likely be my favorite backdrop in perpetuity.
I love music! Playing guitar, singing, or concert-going all strike a chord in my heart. It helps fuel me in work or play. Lift me when I’m down, or elevate me to new heights! Thank goodness for musicians.
My latest passion is motorcycling! Here you can see me, in Arizona, on my first motorcycle tour! Which I did solo. An exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience to be sure. Everything I could have asked for.
Like art, it makes me feel alive!
I remember looking out over the Valley of the Gods in Utah.
The sun was setting, and I was miles away from my campsite.
I yelled from the top of my lungs for sheer joy!
A spectacular scene
that rid me of any anxiety about when I would reach the end of the narrow gravel road
or where I would set camp that night.