PAINTINGS
My paintings tend to be compulsively balanced; symmetrical, if not radial. I paint on canvas or wood using oil over acrylic underpaintings. Ironically coded imagery builds upon itself to present my perspective on specific subjects.
The Pessimist
3ft x 4ft...acrylic on canvas
I painted this at the height of my dark period. I used black backgrounds for every painting to imply looming death. When I painted this, it was meant as a self-portrait of what I'd grow to be. I lived in my van during this time. I slept with the painting as I worked on it.
I painted this at the height of my dark period. I used black backgrounds for every painting to imply looming death. When I painted this, it was meant as a self-portrait of what I'd grow to be. I lived in my van during this time. I slept with the painting as I worked on it.
Love-bomb
9'x 12'...acrylic on wood
At this time, I felt that one level of being was that it was only a matter of time until the woman whom he is having sex with says she loves the man, then the man turns off his emotions and departs.
At this time, I felt that one level of being was that it was only a matter of time until the woman whom he is having sex with says she loves the man, then the man turns off his emotions and departs.
Balance
8'x 11'...acrylic on wood
The snake for all things unknown, the raven for all things known, the bell is the perfect balance that I strive for but will never achieve. It is gray as balance between 'dark' and 'light', it has an infinity symbol encircling it (infinite balance)...it hangs still and quite...balanced. The heart is my physicality, the circle of fire is my infinite soul...the stars are specifically chosen constellations, as are the patterns of flying birds and more.
The snake for all things unknown, the raven for all things known, the bell is the perfect balance that I strive for but will never achieve. It is gray as balance between 'dark' and 'light', it has an infinity symbol encircling it (infinite balance)...it hangs still and quite...balanced. The heart is my physicality, the circle of fire is my infinite soul...the stars are specifically chosen constellations, as are the patterns of flying birds and more.
Where Logic and Emotion Collide
18'x 32'...resin, hair and paint on canvas
Still living in Baja, I had started this painting years before...I got a message that my youngest sister had AIDS. This piece was completed as a result. Later, it turned out that she had been misdiagnosed. I nailed it to a telephone pole and left it for the taking.
Still living in Baja, I had started this painting years before...I got a message that my youngest sister had AIDS. This piece was completed as a result. Later, it turned out that she had been misdiagnosed. I nailed it to a telephone pole and left it for the taking.
Awakening
24'x 36'...wood putty, liquid plastic, paint and hair.
Living alone in this cabino in rural Baja, I got very in touch with nature. I saw campers come and go, but the animals were always there. I was talking with an American camper and a dog walked up to us. I realized that I knew the dog far better than the man. I surfed with the same dolphins almost daily. The ravens and the spiders were as important to me as these men, maybe more important. I watched the plants grow in the field and as the seasons changed, it caused the beach to change; I felt that I was one tiny part of a larger organism...all this caused me to complete 'Awakening'. It is suspended in a protruding frame. It is tied in on all sides by single strands of my hair.
Living alone in this cabino in rural Baja, I got very in touch with nature. I saw campers come and go, but the animals were always there. I was talking with an American camper and a dog walked up to us. I realized that I knew the dog far better than the man. I surfed with the same dolphins almost daily. The ravens and the spiders were as important to me as these men, maybe more important. I watched the plants grow in the field and as the seasons changed, it caused the beach to change; I felt that I was one tiny part of a larger organism...all this caused me to complete 'Awakening'. It is suspended in a protruding frame. It is tied in on all sides by single strands of my hair.
Roots
15'x 41'...foam, wire bird nest, roots and oil on wood.
I moved back to downtown San Diego to finish college. I lived illegally in a work only art loft. During my time in Baja, I had fallen madly in love with Brandie Maddalena. I was thinking a lot about children and parenthood. The top area of 'Roots' protrudes 3D as big as a basketball, it has a cave inside of it in which one can see an actual birds nest with two eggs. The eggs are painted with glow in the dark paint.
I moved back to downtown San Diego to finish college. I lived illegally in a work only art loft. During my time in Baja, I had fallen madly in love with Brandie Maddalena. I was thinking a lot about children and parenthood. The top area of 'Roots' protrudes 3D as big as a basketball, it has a cave inside of it in which one can see an actual birds nest with two eggs. The eggs are painted with glow in the dark paint.
Growth
36'x 36'...various paints mixed with flour on canvas.
I was thinking about the logical book-knowledge of adolescence verses the less tangible knowledge (or rather confusion) of adulthood. I was also interested in portraying a figure without gender or race. I mixed paint with flour to make dough, which I smeared across the canvas.
I was thinking about the logical book-knowledge of adolescence verses the less tangible knowledge (or rather confusion) of adulthood. I was also interested in portraying a figure without gender or race. I mixed paint with flour to make dough, which I smeared across the canvas.
Heart Song
12'x 18'...acrylic on canvas
Brandie and I rented a house, in which we played parents to my younger brother who was going through a rough spot. During this time I felt an inner calm that had been previously unknown to me. I just felt good. Three poems frame this painting, they balance one another. On the right is the theme of teaching, the left is the theme of learning and the middle is to just be.
Brandie and I rented a house, in which we played parents to my younger brother who was going through a rough spot. During this time I felt an inner calm that had been previously unknown to me. I just felt good. Three poems frame this painting, they balance one another. On the right is the theme of teaching, the left is the theme of learning and the middle is to just be.
Linda
18'x 24'...acrylic and oil on wood
During this period, I became obsessed with ants and bees. In my paintings, bees came to mean confidence.
Wasps as seen here in Linda are arrogance.
During this period, I became obsessed with ants and bees. In my paintings, bees came to mean confidence.
Wasps as seen here in Linda are arrogance.
The Morning Bath
60'x 60'...acrylic & oil on canvas.
The figure is a hybrid of my best friends (males), the abstract area under his arms are up to two inches thick with protruding oil paint. His hands are covered with highly detailed bees. The canvas shape is reflective of a honeycomb cell.
The figure is a hybrid of my best friends (males), the abstract area under his arms are up to two inches thick with protruding oil paint. His hands are covered with highly detailed bees. The canvas shape is reflective of a honeycomb cell.
Courage Symbol
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(Detail)
36' diameter...acrylic & oil on canvas.
This was painted just before I moved to San Francisco...I was nervous about the move, so I painted this. The bees are confidence, the sun is a symbol of self, the sky blue is freedom and the circular canvas is infinity. |
Beautiful Purpose
12'x 18'...acrylic on canvas.
I painted this with nothing in mind, just flowed. It churned up what I had been brewing in my unconsciousness..., which was the question of what is life? The piece is riddled with seeds, sperms, eggs, voids, tiny animals and bursts of complexing energy.
I painted this with nothing in mind, just flowed. It churned up what I had been brewing in my unconsciousness..., which was the question of what is life? The piece is riddled with seeds, sperms, eggs, voids, tiny animals and bursts of complexing energy.
Dream Gate
6'x 4'...tempera on canvas.
I made the paint used in this one. This painting itself is a tool. I have been lucid dreaming since I was an adolescent. When I lucid dream, I am able to do anything I conceive of. I am in utter control of my environment. Usually I just play, but now I am doing a series of art performances there...on the dream plain. The series is called "The dream work Series." I document them through paintings. This first one was hung on the ceiling above my bed, facing down. I flew into it.
I made the paint used in this one. This painting itself is a tool. I have been lucid dreaming since I was an adolescent. When I lucid dream, I am able to do anything I conceive of. I am in utter control of my environment. Usually I just play, but now I am doing a series of art performances there...on the dream plain. The series is called "The dream work Series." I document them through paintings. This first one was hung on the ceiling above my bed, facing down. I flew into it.
Twilight
36' x 48'...acrylic & oil on canvas
Deja vu
18'x 24'...acrylic on canvas.
The ancient Greeks had a concept of time called the great year. This piece is a result of that concept.
The ancient Greeks had a concept of time called the great year. This piece is a result of that concept.
Sam Goes to the Sahara
36'x 36'...acrylic and mirror on canvas.
This painting is the second in my "Dream work Series." I found that when I become lucid in dream, it often has the effect of making all the objects around me disappear. I find myself in a vast flat area, which has a dusk level of light. For this performance, I sat and allowed my body to glow like a powerful light bulb. I documented the performance through this painting.
This painting is the second in my "Dream work Series." I found that when I become lucid in dream, it often has the effect of making all the objects around me disappear. I find myself in a vast flat area, which has a dusk level of light. For this performance, I sat and allowed my body to glow like a powerful light bulb. I documented the performance through this painting.