Q: “Can you tell us about your early years? What is your background ?"

A: I was born in San Francisco on August 19, 1951. As a child it seemed I was always in trouble. In school I failed almost everything. I was moved forward from grade to grade on a "trial basis" because the overcrowded inner city school system could not afford to keep kids back. I dropped out of high school at 17 so I could take drugs and hang around in the streets with low friends. I ended up in the hospital at 18 from a heroin addiction (and a bout with hepatitis acquired from shared needles.). After wandering aimlessly through three more years of life in a black depression, I went to work for my father as a "GoFer" at his insurance office. I thought the job might last a few weeks, however, after 15 years, I ended up buying him out. I continued to run this business until the age of 44, (over 20 years). I was miserable in this work, but I had money. At night, I painted as a hobby, and as an outlet. I was a weekend binge drinker. I blacked out from drinking every weekend for 20 years. I even had a drinking club of similar souls we called "The BLACKOUT CLUB"

In 1995, I accidentally burned my house down one night when I was taking pain pills and drunk. In that fire I lost my extensive art collection, which I had amassed with every penny I made during my 23 years as an insurance broker. (I saved nothing. I invested nothing) I also lost many of my own paintings, and all my painting equipment. Fortunately, I had been renting a storage space. In this space I was able to save several original paintings.

After the fire, I went into the second major depression of my life. I again became addicted to heroin, (at age 45). The next years were spent pursuing junk, or kicking in rehabs. I managed to kick this addiction three years later. (though one never really kicks these addictions entirely)

After ruining my credit by maxing out my credit cards, I moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles, with my creditors screaming on my heels. I declared bankruptcy in LA. I moved in with my girlfriend and we were married in 1998. I worked for a few years as a manager at a friend’s pornography company. Made good money. However, again, I was miserable doing this. In 2002 I left the porn racket and drifted from one job to another, usually as a ‘consultant’. (aka: Bullshit Artist) Also, I started drawing and painting again.

I was thrilled to sell a few works of art during this period. Finally something I actually enjoyed doing! Thus, after many adjustments, and with much help and support from my wife, I dropped everything else to create art full time in late 2004. My wife and I built our home and my studio that same year. I’ve been painting full time ever since. Being an artist has brought me a happiness that I have never had. It took me 50 years to find this. Now, for me and my art, it is a race with time.

Q: “What inspired you to first pick up the brush?"

A: When I first worked as an insurance agent I found myself falling into a rut. I would work all day, come home exhausted, and watch TV until I needed to sleep. After seven or eight years of this, I became more and more depressed. My weekend drinking got worse. I felt that I was essentially a useless human parasite. So, I began drawing at night. I had always enjoyed drawing as a kid. I also used it cathartically to ease tension and anxiety. Drawing relaxed me. I feel that creating art is a "redeeming quality". This helped me get over my "parasitic complex". I was 29 years old when I began doing this instead of TV. Within a year my hobby grew and I was painting with watercolor. For the next 15 years my habit was to work in the day, and paint at night. My obsession with this hobby grew over time until it became much more important to me than the business I transacted during the day. One of my drinking buddies suggested that I show my work. So, the day came when I had my first little art showing. It was in a restaurant and I was 35 years old. Nothing was for sale at this showing. At that point all my art was to precious to me to sell. Something I would regret 10 years later when most of it burned up in a fire.

Q: "Do you have any academic training in art? Can you tell us about your early studies– be it formal or informal?"

A: None. I took art classes in grammar school with the other children. Later, I was expelled from High school. I flunked all my subjects, including my art class. I was made to go to what was then called "continuation school". This was a school for kids who could not handle regular school. There was no art class there. I did not attend much. It was there only to comply with the law. I dropped out at 17. At that point I was nearly illiterate.

Q: "Tell us about your influences… are you influenced by any specific artists or art movements? Also, what are your influences from outside the art world"

A: My first artistic influence was Hieronymus Bosch. When I was 15 I saw a book of his work. It reminded me of the way my drawings filled up the page. I was mesmerized by his work. Still am. Then, years later, I was heavily influenced by H. R. Giger. I was painting with watercolor. In fact, it was the first year I'd decided to make art as a hobby. I was so taken with his work that I went out and bought an airbrush. I became quite proficient with it. Many of my early paintings (mostly those burned in the fire of 1995) were done using an airbrush. I'd have to say that these two artists are most influential in my early days as an artist. Now, I am influenced by so many artists that the list would be pages long.

Q: “Tell us about the motives behind your work…"

A: To make Art is a basic, instinctive need for the human animal. It pre-dates all language and civilization. I think it's Interesting that it is seldom an occupation that makes much money for the artist. Perhaps that is because anyone can do it? Or perhaps because people feel that art does not serve a 'functional' purpose? Perhaps this is because people do not "understand" what art is, and thus can not properly or confidently evaluate it?

It seemingly has no purpose other then to reach a deep yearning of the human spirit ... A deep yearning to 'create', To externalize our ideas and to emulate our visions of God. We want to create our own worlds, just like God. We can not command the seas to rise or the mountains to move ... but we can draw them any way we wish.

This need in us to make art, so unique to us, is the basis of all the cultures and human civilizations of the Earth. All that man has accomplished, the domination of the planet, all has it's basis in the creation of art.

I watch so many people grow older and become set in their ways, slowly growing blind to the beauty that life offers. The superficial things in life that bombard us makes it difficult to keep open eyes and open minds.

I struggle to maintain my simple faiths in the face of inhumanity, horror and the evident randomness of tragedy. It is increasingly difficult to keep hold of the magic that I once took for granted. I try to hold on to that in spite of the kicks that life hands out ... and to inspire others in that way. I do this through the creation of my art. Of all the things I have done in my life, only the creation of my art makes me feel that my life has value.

Living as an artist is my dream come true. I work many hours each day, and so far making it financially has not come easy. However, I'd rather be doing this than any of the other things I've done in my life leading up to now.

Q: "Tell us about your process. What type of surface do you prefer to paint upon? How do you begin a painting? Do you work with sketches first?"

A: I usually begin a painting by becoming extremely interested in a basic idea, (a "mind picture" or a concept). These ideas come to me at odd times. Maybe in the middle of the night, maybe while I'm in the shower. I will quickly sketch and write out my feelings about the idea, and it will develop from there. When I feel the motivation, and the timing is right, I will begin my idea on a panel or canvas. I will normally set down a background, and work forward to the foreground. I also prefer to work from dark colors up to highlights. However, I must go on record as saying that this is not always how things work out. Some of my best works have been made using no rules whatsoever. Art is like magic. Art is like the soul. It is the elusive essence of what makes the colored lumps of dried paint on a canvas mean much more than what they really are, (colored lumps of dried paint). Art is the power bequeathed to the artwork by the artist. Art is the secret energy that transmits ideas to the mind and soul of the viewer. It happens like a birth. It has a life of its own. I can not tell it how to create itself, it tells me.

I see 'things within things' and follow them. Like Alice following the rabbit down a hole, I pursue my visual ideas. Spontaneous, yet also influenced by my conscious thoughts. Not of what I am painting, but thoughts that float through my mind during the perfect state of 'flow' that I achieve while painting for many hours.

My preferred painting surface is wood panel. I love the cold smoothness of the surface. I apply gesso in many coats. Starting with 2 or 3 coats of rough gesso. I sand that down to a fine eggshell finish, then add one final coat of high quality liquid gesso.

My preferred painting brushes are ISABEY Kolinsky sables. These are oil brushes, but I use them for acrylics. If one is careful to keep them wet, they can last for years. I keep my brushes in a butchers pan a quarter inch deep in water over paper towels. The brushes lay at an angle in this pan, staying wet at the tips for months on end. The paint never dries. If I decide to take one out I wash it carefully with soap. I use tiny "script" brushes for fine details. These are inexpensive and I go through one a month in each size I use. They are made by "LOEW CORNELL", Series 7350. A few bucks each.

My preferred paint is "OLD HOLLAND" New Acrylics. These guys have been making paint for 300 years, and it shows in quality. I also use GOLDENS and HOLBEIN brands.

Q: "Can you tell us about your studio practice… what are the conditions you need in order to paint– do you listen to music while working?"

A: In each new painting I try to push myself to learn new methods and perfect others. Much of the time I need quiet. When I can, I sometimes listen to music. I like Vivaldi. I like ancient music. I also like "experimental" music's. Sounds that create mind pictures. I often listen to recorded books when I feel I can enjoy the distraction. In the last three years I've listed to over 400 unabridged works ranging from "THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA" to "WAR & PEACE" to "HEGEMONY OR SURVIVAL" by Noam Chomsky. My reading skills are poor, so listening is a way I can catch up on literature, so to speak. My education is lacking, but still going on. Two birds with one stone, I paint, and I read. Normally, It takes me at least an hour to get my head into my work. That is, to hit "the zone" where my instincts take over and my painting skills are at their best. I require silence, and no outside interruptions. If I am disturbed, it sets me back. I need blocks of time where I can develop a clean focus on my work. My best work is done when I am allowed 10 or more hours of work. I say "allowed" because no matter who you are, creating art is a luxury. Subsistence often gets in the way. My daylight time is short. I normally get up after noon. I take care of whatever" crap" that I must, and then get to my easel. I will work until dinner, usually 8:00 PM. Then go back to my work and quit for sleep at 4:00 AM. This is my current schedule. I do this so I will not be interrupted, and because I can.

Q: "What are your thoughts on the contemporary art world? Do you think there are many opportunities in the art market for Avant Garde and Underground Artists?"

A: Today, so many voices can be heard. This is good ... and also bad. Sometimes, all these voices together create a cacophony. You can not hear the great voices because they are drowned out by the others, including the mediocre, and often, the absurd. This new "Media Age" gives many the opportunity to be heard at the cost of the few. In the old world, these few great ones might rise to the top on their merits, initiative and luck. Now, they might not. Is this good? I think in the large picture, no.

In the first decade of the twenty first century there are more galleries and more artists showing their work than I have ever seen, going back 3 decades. Thus, there are more opportunities for artists to be seen and sell their work. This, I think, is definitely good.

Q: “Do you have any advice for newly emerging artists?"

A: Just keep working and don't let the low times get you down. If you want it bad enough, you can do it. I sincerely believe this. Things may not work out as you envisioned, but one way or another, you will succeed through perseverance. However, one must truly comprehend the definition of "perseverance". Are you will willing to work 20 years before you have any success? If no, then perhaps you do not have what it takes to be an artist.

My life as an artist is like a roller coaster ride of ecstasy and agony. Exaltation when I succeed in my own eyes, and the black depression of self doubt. When I get really down, I usually ask myself, "What else would I be?" "How else would I be happy?" "Could I give my art up?" NO ... I could not.

Promote yourself without shame! If you want to eat.

People do not understand art. They do not understand that there is nothing to understand! So, they require others to tell them what art is, and what "good art" is, so they can enjoy it. You must convince others, and yourself, that your art is worth buying and having. If not, they will not buy it nor have it.

It took me till the age of 43 to sell a piece of work to a stranger ... and until the age of 54 to begin making a small "living wage" at it. I still struggle financially. However, I am experiencing a rise monetarily.

Art is subjective. there will always be people who like it and not like it. So, it's a 'numbers game' get 1,000000 eyes on your work a day, and some will like your work. Use the internet.

Work hard and self-promote. That's how I make a living being an artist. I work 14 hours a day 7 days a week - Some times I make minimum wage. I NEVER keep ANY of my art . Everything must be sold eventually. Get your work out to as many eyes as you can.

Written in Los Angeles ~ September, 2008