The charcoal drawings below were inspired by a couple of sources. They started as photographs I took when walking a trail in the Missouri Ozark's while reading the poetry of Matt Russell, a veteran of the US led war in Afghanistan. Subsequently, I read a book called Adam's Return by Richard Rohr which discussed how nature can have a humbling effect on the male ego which often acts out in the world by acts of aggression. Then, all at once, the work cumulated in an installation space at Intersect Art Center in St. Louis were I made a metaphoric camping tent of the gallery.
War Trail Series
Charcoal on paper
16" x 16"
2015
War Trail Series
Charcoal on paper
16" x 16"
2015
Below is a dual monitor screening of my MFA thesis project. For this conceptually and formally inspired work, I hoped to take the viewer through a contemplative moment using text as image. Referencing Rothko's rectangular paintings and Glen Ligon's use of text, the original poem on one screen fades out while the other screen has the poem fade into view.
Black Words
2, 48"x 36" Dual Monitors
2014
Black Words
2, 48"x 36" Dual Monitors
2014
The eight paintings below belong to a series called Imagination Architecture and were created after I returned from a trip to Europe in 2012. I was greatly influenced by the architecture I experienced while traveling. Meshing and merging different styles like marble columns in London with the Celtic stone circles of Ireland, I created these intuitive paintings.
Imagination Architecture Series
Oil on Canvas
2012
Imagination Architecture Series
Oil on Canvas
2012