The nature of my work is that through the use of varied imagery, classical & digital painting techniques & sometimes humor, I often create a visual commentary on topical societal issues and encourage the viewer to contemplate the meanings and symbols in my imagery. I’ve worked with drug addicts, the homeless, victims of sexual abuse, young people who have been incarcerated, and know people in the porn industry so I have definitely seen some of the seedier side of life. I’ve seen how people can make a bad decision and get trapped in that decision. They are unable to figure out how to get out of the situation in which they find themselves. With that in mind, the nature of my work in my "Twisted Teddys" series utilizes an iconic image of childhood innocence, the teddy bear, to address social issues that are relevant and that affect the human race on a physical and spiritual level. Also, the images are social commentary and show how that childhood innocence can be warped and damaged by societal pressures and influences. At other times, my paintings are inspired by my Native American roots (Choctaw) and my spiritual quest with studies in Jungian symbolism. In either case, I hope the viewer is inspired to be more aware of their global connections to each other, to nature & to take personal responsibility for effecting positive change in society. While some of my landscapes may seem more representational, there is always a spiritual energy that emanates from them and my allegorical images breathe an almost mystical “ah-ha” as I reveal something of myself in the painting process. I create my fantasy pieces to delight & entertain, touching that inner child that is within each of us. I mostly use acrylics, digital or mixed media to create my images.
A published artist, writer, voice over actor & semi-retired art professor, he has over 30 years of experience as a graphic designer/illustrator, fine artist, and writer, working in the entertainment, publishing, aerospace, research & multimedia industries. He earned an M.F.A. (with honors) in Illustration from the Academy of Art & a B.A. in Applied Arts from the U. L. of Lafayette. He is Involved with social issues and an avid artist rights advocate, having been recognized by the Los Angeles City Council for his volunteer work and contribution to the growth of the arts in L.A. He has taught art, design and illustration at various colleges in Southern CA with his last teaching assignment being at UCLA. In addition, he continues to work in his studio as a contract freelancer for logo designs, publications, creating graphic elements, illustration, web content, providing technical guidance for clients; ideation, consulting & printing management.
He studied for a time under a Native American Shaman and practiced many of the rituals and spiritual practices of the Denai/Navajo peoples. In addition, he has studied many of the teachings of Carl Jung and has researched the Aboriginal Shamanic practices of Indigenous peoples.
He is a member of CAL (California Art League), ISAP (the Int’l Society of Acrylic Painters), SILA (the Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles) and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and CAA (the College Art Association). In addition, he has given lectures at the Museum of the San Fernando Valley, the Palos Verde Art League, the California Art League, the Altadena Library, the Visalia Art League and others.
His work has been published in Acrylic Artist Magazine, North Light Books, the Los Angeles Times, Shoten Kenchiku – Tokyo, Art Muzeo Magazine, Fotografisk – Norway and has had several interviews on social media, i.e., Instagram, Artsy Shark, Canvas Rebel and others. In addition, he has won countless awards for his work, having been recognized by Adobe Design, the International Society of Acrylic Painters, the Society of Illustrators, California Art League & others. Also, he was honored twice with an Artistic Director Award for Set Design/Scenic Art from the Valley Theatre League.
These are just a few of the exhibits that he has participated in in the last 6 years:
2023 Fall/Winter Show, Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, Gloversville, N.Y.
2023 The Best of the Northwest, Art Source Gallery, Boise, ID
2023 Your Wildest Dreams, Vestige Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2023 Global Meltdown, Limner Gallery, Hudson, N.Y.
2023 Small Changes, Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery, Decatur, GA
2022 The Power of Portraits – Human and Animal, MVA Gallery, Bethlehem, PA
2022 Atmospheric Perspective, Intersect Arts Center, St. Louis, MO
2022 Human Faces and Figures, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
2020 Hive 15 Year Anniversary Show
2019 Nagoya Art Fair, Nagoya, Japan
2018 NudeArt L.A., ArtShare Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
These are just a few of the public art projects to which he has contributed:
Redondo Beach Utility Box Mural Hollywood Night Gallery Mural Project
Bob Barker 32nd Anniversary Mural (CBS Studios) Venus Fort - Tokyo, Japan
Paris Casino – Las Vegas
His work is a part of many private and corporate collections. Selected collections include:
Walt Disney Studios (Burbank, CA) Wayne Brady (Let’s Make A Deal)
Niktoni Entertainment (Sherman Oaks, CA) Enrico Colantoni (Actor – Flashpoint, Veronica Mars, Just
Bad Bunny Pictures (Sherman Oaks, CA) Shoot Me, Galaxy Quest, Artificial Intelligence, etc.)
Data Dias (Oslo, Norway) Tim Borquez (Emmy winning sound engineer)
His award-winning work continues to be exhibited locally, nationally and internationally. He has traveled extensively; living & working as an artist in Norway, Denmark, England, Italy and Japan. Currently, he is working with a new toy/pet products company called Kids, Pets & More, Inc. that is launching soon, to produce plush versions of some of his teddy characters.
