Q: Your work moves beyond traditional still life painting by creating a narrative with the selection and placement of the objects you choose to paint. Can you tell us a little bit about how you select the things you paint?  How do you decide what will work together in a painting?

A: It’s all about the story. I collect a lot of different things, toys, small animals, toy cars, rocks, vases, and to me they all have different personalities. When I’m setting up a painting, I chose objects that will create a scene and tell a story. Whether the story is outwardly apparent or one that can be interpreted differently for each viewer varies from painting to painting, but it’s all about setting that stage. I’ve been collecting objects for a while now, from the woods while on hikes or from various thrift stores and antique malls, and now I’m gifted a lot of objects from friends and family so each one is very special. 

Q: You use a vibrant color palette that seems to be based on the color you're observing but ramped up a bit to create more impact.  Can you describe how you determine color and how the palette influences your decision making as you paint?

A: My color choices really sets the emotional tempo of the scene, so I use color to help tell the story. Turning up the dial on the saturation of the colors in the painting isn’t always on purpose, as much as just how my eyes see it and how my hands mix it. I really try to think as little as possible, and just move forward with a clear mind to just “do”. For me, over planning and over thinking hampers the feeling I get of the painting emerging from the canvas as it was meant to be.  

Q: You describe yourself as a self-taught artist. How did you learn how to paint?  What made you want to pursue your artistic practice as a profession? 

A: I learned to paint from “youtube university” as they say. I’ve always been creative, and only started oil painting five years ago. It was the first time something in my life really clicked, and made absolute complete sense. I spent the first few years painting practically every single day, it was almost like an addiction. I couldn’t not paint. Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and painting things I thought were too hard or too complicated led to lots of bad paintings and incredible growth. I truly believe painting  is a trade, and everyone can do it. All you need is the desire to put in the hours doing it. I feel incredible grateful that I get to paint everyday. 

Q: What advice would you give other self-taught artists who would like to establish a career in painting and selling work?

A: The only thing you need is the hardest thing to come by, time. If you want to establish a career as an artist, you need to create art. You need to create lots and lots of art. Go for what’s hard, go for what’s going to challenge you, go for the subjects that scare you. That’s the only way to get better at your craft and find out what type of art you’re meant to be creating. Once you do, the authenticity will show in your work. Since art is so personal, I think there’s also a desire in new painters to keep work just for yourself, and not show it. But putting it out there is such an important part of the process. Don’t be afraid.