I did not choose art. Art chose me. For as long as I can remember, an internal fire has churned within me. This fire invigorates the depths of my soul to create, to imagine, to dream. If I choose to ignore the fire, then it does not extinguish, rather it scorches my inner being until I translate its message to the world around me. My work is a manifestation of this fire that requires me to investigate the depths of my soul, acknowledge my past, face my fears, forgive my trespassers, express gratitude for my life course, and then communicate this freedom both transparently and authentically.
My work is a continual exploration of contrasts. Modern lines welcome classical flair, nouveau typography meets soft edges, stark images offer glimpses of hope, and fierce judgment intertwines with mercy. Whether it is a logo, poster, street sign, or shopping bag, each design highlights the human experience. Objects are much more than an image on the screen, rather these objects intertwine with humanity to comprise meaning that speaks to each viewer on a personal level.
When I begin a new work of art or graphic design, my methodology is to investigate the message. What message is on the surface? What is the hidden message? How does this message cause a person to think, feel, or act differently? How can I articulate and communicate my message or the message of my client in a way that transcends the obvious? When viewers see my work, my heart’s desire is that it carries a message that speaks to them on multiple levels: mental, emotional, sensual, spiritual, and even practical. I want for each piece to have layers of meaning for the viewer. May art aficionados be critical of each piece, and may the piece withstand their scrutiny by speaking to them in layered truths.
My selection of materials, color, and typography is a painstaking process. I fight against the capricious use of color, instead conveying my message through a large use of polarizing black and white. Bright colors add complexity to some pieces. Red is the color that speaks loudest, shouting the cause to the world, requiring naysayers to take notice, and offering a vibrant nostalgia to an otherwise dulled sensibility. Meanwhile, the meticulous selection of typeface style, size, and color impacts the viewer by transplanting the words onto their own voices. The words become written on the hearts and minds of viewers, words that are few, but words that complex in their manifold meanings.
My goal with each piece of art is to cause viewers to take pause in the frantic pace of their lives. I want for these viewers to notice the simplicity, observe the boldness, and then question the very nature of the piece. If any of my pieces has caused a viewer to question its meaning, then I have succeeded. After all, I am not inclined to give answers to questions that have not yet been asked. The viewer will decide the question when encountering the piece, or perhaps the question will choose the viewer. That would complete the circle – art chose me, and the question chooses the viewer.