Passions

Philosophy

When it comes to creating or appreciating art, everyone has their own philosophy. For me, art should evoke an emotional response.

I’m not a fan of Jackson Pollock, but I can’t deny that some of his work gives me a sense of awe—and that’s an emotional reaction. No one has to agree with this philosophy, and that’s okay.

I’m obsessed with fractals, but not in the traditional Mandelbrot or Julia sense. I prefer Lyapunov fractals because they don’t follow a predictable pattern. That unpredictability resonates with me, and my work reflects it. My goal is to make people pause and ask themselves: What am I looking at?

No matter how my work is perceived, the aim is always the same: to provoke an emotion: confusion, wonder, disgust, joy, unease. It doesn’t matter which.

Acrylic on Wood

Rather than discard the skate decks my son deemed “thrashed,” I saw an opportunity to repurpose them into something meaningful. I bracketed them together, planed and sanded the surfaces, and added standoffs so they could mount flat on a wall. What was once trash became a new canvas. Presented below are the latest in a series of pieces.

Process Steps

Case Study 

Challenges:

The prep work was far more labor-intensive than expected. The edges had to be planed for a flush fit, the surface thoroughly sanded to remove grime and oil, and a polycrylic sealant applied before paint would properly adhere. Only then was is ready as a medium.

Concept:

Much of my work captures a fragment of something much larger—meant to be viewed from a distance. The blue-to-black gradient feels manufactured, while the yellow-to-red gradient feels more organic.

Process:

I start with a midpoint color, adjusting each subsequent tone while accounting for how paint darkens when it dries. Masking layers is crucial to maintain clean lines and prevent overbrushing.

Digital compositions

For reasons I can't fully define, fractals resonate with me, especially unconventional forms. Photoshop is my tool of choice for image manipulation, and I’ve developed techniques to generate self-similar, repeating patterns into full compositions.

One of the aspects I enjoy most about digital work is simulating depth of field. By creating a sense of spatial layering, I can make a 2D piece feel like a slice of something much larger.

Case Study 

Challenges:

I work non-destructively, preserving layers as smart objects. Complex compositions can balloon quickly, sometimes exceeding 5GB before flattening. To manage performance, I work at large physical dimensions but keep resolution at 72dpi. Even at print sizes of 48" x 48", this provides sufficient quality.

Concept:

I want viewers to ask, “What am I looking at?” Even if the image is unsettling, I want it to compel continued observation.

Process:

I start with an amorphous shape, convert it into a smart object, and position it on the canvas to simulate a Z-axis. I iterate on scale and orientation until positive and negative space feel balanced. Then I add shadowing and depth-of-field effects, adjusting layers individually. Some compositions have over 1,000 layers, and none are completed in under three hours.

Quality Time: Mini Ramp

Art and design are passions, but so is spending time with my kids. During the summer of 2021, at the height of COVID, my son and I built a mini ramp in our backyard. With skateparks closed, he and his friends needed a place to skate, so we made one together.

Case Study 

Challenges:

There weren’t many. We opted for a pre-cut kit from OC Ramps for simplicity.

Concept:

The project gave my son and his friends a place to hang out and be themselves while the world was chaotic.

Process:

I mainly supervised, letting my son handle most of the construction. I offered guidance and assisted when needed. Color-coded lumber and clear instructions made assembly straightforward and enjoyable.

Practical Projects: Outdoor Movie Screen

Rather than settle for a sheet or a small projection stand, I designed a wind-resistant outdoor movie screen that has lasted over a decade.

Case Study 

Challenges:

Concept:

Who doesn’t love an outdoor movie night?

Process:

I built the frame from .75" PVC irrigation components, and the screen from sewn blackout material sized for a 16:9 projector. I added pipe pockets for mounting. The result is a stable, high-quality outdoor screen.

Final Thoughts:

Whether I’m painting, designing digitally, or building practical projects, the goal is the same: to provoke a response and engage the senses. Some work is artistic, some practical, but all share a common thread: thoughtful execution and attention to detail.