I love to paint. Those four words are probably the best description of why I do what I do. Since I was very young, I have been surrounded and inspired by several different artists. A very prolific and enchanting teacher, Robin Grass, opened my eyes to the realm of fantasy. He also taught me the technique of acrylic painting that I still use today. Throughout the vast changes in my life, I have become very aware of the spiritual beauty and strength I have found in the women who surround me. My admiration for these women has inspired me to want to paint them in the character in which I veiw them. I started out by studying and admiring other artists whom I also felt understood the hidden magic of the female spirit, such as Brian Froud and Olivia. After moving to the west coast and studying at the Academy of Art, I became more aware of the details of the human figure that I wished to portray. Also, meeting and studying under several other instructors at the Academy, such as Kazu Sano, gave me a new sense of what it would be like to live and survive as an artist in San Francisco. After graduating from school, I was a little lost. Not getting much of a promising response in the field of my chosen major, children book ilustrating, I decided just to start painting for myself again, the way I did before school. It turns out this is exactly what I was supposed to do.
The more I started painting my female forms on canvases and walls, the better I felt, and consequently my art career started moving forward. I began doing more shows and became more artistically involved with a very inspiring group of graffiti artists, The Seventh Letter. The incredible drive and energy that I have found in this group has pushed me to always expect the best and continuously strive to make it better.
While working on pushing my fine art career into gear, I was approached by Prairie Prince Studios with an incredible opportunity. Prairie needed help with painting a set for a Bette Midler production, and hired me on as part of the crew. This is where I first picked up an airbrush, and I haven't stopped using airbrushes or sprayguns since. Learning and creating on this set, sparked my interest in persuing a career in mural and set painting Which lead way to me working for W.E.T Studios, a professional mural painting studio, on some large scale set and backdrop painting projects. However, I didn't realize that there was much more to come. It is through Prairie Prince Studios that I became involved with Underground Colors, a complete motorcycle and metal sculpture restoration facility. Prairie introduced me to Pete the Painter, the owner of Underground Colors. Both these prolific artists have taught me so much over the past few years that I don't know how I will ever repay them. The work we do through Underground Colors has given me a new outlook on what quality is really all about. We take all the appropriate measures to restore and refinish our products with a superior quality. Our techniques have given us the opportunity to work on incredible projects, such as restoring the Claus Oldenberg Soft Inverted 'Q' and Shumway Fountain for Stanford University. As well as painting a large fiberglass heart for the 'Hearts In San Francisco Project', set up for fundraising to support San Francisco General Hospital. Also, we have an extensive set up and portfolio of custom painitng and restoration of almost any type of motorcycle, bicycle, car, and helmet. Being a part of Underground Colors is incredibly gratifying for me, and is sure to bring only more fascinating work in the future.
As of now, I plan to keep painting and to continue to show my work as much as possible. Like I said before, I love to paint, so that is what I will do, always.