Artist Statement
I am a firm believer in the power of art to effect change. I am a white man who grew up in the suburban utopia called Levittown. I discovered the history of that utopia had racist restrictions, discrimination towards the Black Community, and was a model for redlining. I joined the military where I learned quickly that team and mission were paramount and everyone is treated the same regardless of skin color, body type, age, gender, culture, or place of origin. I retired from the military and then from a successful career in healthcare to pursue my passion – art.
I have lived and traveled to many places throughout the world and have developed a diverse community of friends. I have seen all kinds of things, good, bad, beautiful, and ugly that inform my work. I am concerned with contemporary views of social, political, and cultural issues. These narratives explore relevant varied themes such as racism, war, healthcare, poverty, power dynamics, and class structure. My works often depict unsettling images of power, struggle, violence, and fear while others sit in contrast showcasing the more human side/condition to these struggles.
Because of the enormity of the inequities I am discussing, I work in a large scale. Believing in the power of the written word, I will often incorporate text as I build up my paintings layer by layer. By doing so, I hope to create a bold awareness for what I feel must be faced here and now.