People often ask me who has influenced my work, but what they’re really looking for is an “art-anchor” to link me to a style. While I fully understand that need, I wish we as adults could clear our minds enough to experience things afresh and see art more viscerally. As adults we have a pressing need for context to what we’re experiencing at any given moment. We have big brains and, by god, we’re going to use them to their fullest! That’s why children’s reactions to my work matter greatly to me. Uncluttered minds and innocent eyes see and process clearly and cleanly.

But, I’m an adult, and have thought more deeply and thoroughly about my art than some would think. Someone once said “You don’t HAVE to be an idiot to be an artist” and I think truer words have not been spoken. I don’t know any painter, sculptor, designer, musician, writer or basket weaver who hasn’t studied fanatically their particular medium and it’s history. And, in art education you attach yourself to the coattails of some heavy hitters…and they become your personal gurus.

Among my personal Jesus’ are Fairfield Porter, Rackstraw Downes, Edward Hopper, Richard Diebenkorn and Louisa Mattiasdottir. If you don’t know them, look them up. To me they are eternally interesting, inspiring and full of untapped lessons.

Horizon, Ocean View - Richard Diebenkorn

Icelandic Village, 1991 - Louisa Mattiasdottir

110th Street & Broadway, Whelan’s from Sloan’s - Rackstraw Downes