A Message from the Artist

Until recently I was a Professor of Art at Irvine Valley College, Irvine, California, U.S.  My speciality was in creative photography, design and color theory.  Currently I am working solely on my art, film making, and, screenwriting.

In the project Between Now and Then, I explore the profound emotional exchanges I experience with specific landscapes. Especially in the work made in Ireland, there is an undeniable allure—a magnetic pull towards the land, water, echoes of the past, and the vibrant atmosphere that envelops me.  My connection to Ireland runs deep, transcending the three years I have spent there since 2000. The ancient Ring Forts, also known as Fairy Forts, along with the rich folklore surrounding them, are a wellspring of inspiration for my art. Through the work, I aim to present these places as living embodiments of my heritage.

In the ongoing Chop Wood, Carry Water series, my primary goal is to create visual reminders that encourage mindfulness and presence, captured through still photographs and numerous mixed media pieces.

In projects, like the A Cup of Cold Water, American Portraits (coming soon), I strive to extend my reach outward, conveying messages of social concern that I believe warrant attention, hopefully reflection. For more specific information on the A Cup of Cold Water project please go to its gallery.

Most of my work is not in an edition, I believe my largest edition has been 5.  Due to the nature of hand glazing and fusion to  wood panels on some of the work, no two ever come out exactly the same.  A significant amount of work has been meticulously finished using small brushes and pigments along with color pencils. So, I'm definitely not a purest in any sense.  I try to take the necessary steps to accomplish my goal on any given image.  

What matters to me is that each artwork I create has meaningful content, is visually organized, and use of color (or lack thereof) is intentional. 

I do work in very specific lighting conditions,  my eyesight makes it difficult for me to see in direct, bright light, I avoid it!  In most art I view and create, I prefer to see details in the shadow areas, unless the intent is to obscure them. The only exception was in my social documentary project, A Cup of Cold Water, where I often had to photograph in harsh, direct light. Even in India, I avoided such lighting whenever possible.

Until recently I was working full-time as a Professor of Art at Irvine Valley College, Irvine, California, U.S., specializing in photography, design and color theory. Currently I work solely on making art, film, and screenwriting. In 2017 I started to work in the independent motion picture business, in many capacities, notably as a Producer and Art Director. I'm currently working on writing two feature film scripts.

*All photographic prints are on 100% archival paper, using colorfast, stable inks, unless otherwise noted.

For specific information on the A Cup of Cold Water project please go to its gallery.