about the artist

I work to create images that spark emotions or encourage a different way to view the world around us, working primarily with acrylics on canvas or resin. I was trained as a nuclear engineer and as my career had twists and turns, I was continually painting. My technical side often is evident in my paintings. Today, I am a professional artist residing in Chicago. As a self-taught artist I am constantly evolving with my work. Through many years of painting and experimenting with new styles, I am striving to create a look and feel that is uniquely my own that calls to me. My recent work using resin at the moment feels like a direction to explore further. I think the medium has a lot of potential and challenges.

artists' statement

I am inspired by many things around me, people, nature, and ideas. I see images as “visual metaphors”. I attempt to create these images hoping to capture the moment, mood or feeling. I enjoy creating with tinted resin due to its unique properties. It is these properties which also add to the challenge. Resin is a result of a quick chemical reaction; therefore the amount of each component is crucial, otherwise the resin will not cure or dry. It is also quick, often allowing me less than 20-30 minutes before I am unable to manipulate it like paint. I must plan out in advance and then work very quickly. 

Resin has a sense of depth to it depending on the color and layer combinations. All these attributes combined attracts me to using resin. They allow me to play with all or just on of the resin attributes, each piece being very different from the one before. When all the conditions are right, I am able to create very unique and interesting pieces. If just one condition is off, the result is a pile of colored, sticky mess. I use resin in two main ways. The first way I use resin similar to how I may use acrylic paint. I “paint” layer over layer to get a play of the colors, texture, and light reflection. The dry time between layers can be as much as 24 hours if I want no interaction of the colored layers. Many of pieces have 6-8 layers so I may take several days for just one piece. 

The second manner in which I utilize tinted resin is by pouring all the colors of the images onto the board at once, shape them and then allow them to interact chemically yielding a soft mixing and marbleizing effect often presenting an organic feeling of the image. The pouring and mixing process can only take 30-40 minutes so a lot of planning and preparation goes into each piece before I begin working with the resin. The combination of colors and textures, as well as the image itself, help tell the story. My goal is to encourage others to view the world differently using resin to great images, either abstract or recognizable.