My earliest memories are of flipping through the pages of illustrated compendiums. I would become mesmerized by Audubon's birds, mythical fairy scenes, by botanical and oceanic creatures. This made me want to draw pictures of my own. More so, this made me realize that the magic and details in my own mind were at least as real as the visual world I experienced. I became fixated with pushing the limits of the world of my imagination. To facilitate this, I took an early interest in martial arts. I loved the idea of staying completely calm in the middle of chaos. People and philosophies that studied the mind drew me in. I learned about ancient yogis like Milarepa and modern counter-cultural scientists like John C. Lilly. Their teachings shaped both the content and practice of my art. My paintings blurred the boundaries between reality and imagination. My methods of art making became accented with meditations, deep breathing, and physical movement. |
Today, when I make a work of art, I first attempt to enter the hall of knowledge. There, I try to partake in the light and, if I may, to bring back information respectfully. Putting art into the world, I hope to create a positive chain reaction - to have my work increase our sensitivity to magic and truth and possibility. I see the responsibility of the artist as contributing something to society that people can understand, find joy in and build community through. Artists must show people the way the world is and how they think the world should be. To do this is to be an artist for the common good. |
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Director, 1350 Gallery/ Studio 9, (2010 – present)
- Co-Director, City Mosaic 501(c )3 , (2015 – present)
- Founding Member, Springfield Central Cultural District, (2013-2016)
- Professor, Commonwealth Honors College, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (2006 – present)
- Gallery Manager and Acting Director, Hampden Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (1997 – 2016)
- Exhibition Design and Fabrication - Special Projects, Springfield Museums, Springfield, MA (1995 - present)
- Curator of my students work for Marriott UMass Art Showcase, Campus Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (2008 - 2009)
- Murals inside various UMASS Amherst buildings (Philosophy Department, Bartlett Hall, Newman Center, John Quincy Adams Tower, Hampden Common Lobby, Student Union)
- University of Massachusetts Commonwealth Honors College - Teach a course that integrates studio art with history, civic engagement, philosophy and literature currently, “Honors 221H: The Springfield Renaissance: Art and the City”
- Taught HONORS 499C“Recreating a Historic Masterpiece” 1998-2010, A year long study for Honors students of artmaking, art history, philosophy and the recreation of a historic painted masterpiece full size. Oftentimes collaborating with the Springfield Symphony for themes and a special reception for students and their paintings in the Mahogany Room also during Symphony intermission of the season finale
- Design, educate, fabricate and exhibit artwork with UMASS students, volunteers, interns and community members for display at One Financial Plaza, Springfield as Artistic Director for 1350 Gallery and Studio 9
- Designed and fabricate Springfield Museums annual Holiday Exhibitions (2009-2016, i.e. “The Magic of Gingerbread”)
- Designed “Amazing World of Dr. Seuss” Museum, approved by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and drawings for “Seuss in Springfield” website (2012-present) in collaboration with Kay Simpson and Laura Scott
- Created the layout for the museum, painted all murals and designed the floors, all sculptures and interactives for “The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss” Museum. Oversaw the creation of Dr. Seuss Museum from designing the layout to working with all the trades required to create this new museum within a historical structure
- Designed and fabricated “Ancient Egypt” (1/15/03-1/6/04) George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Springfield, MA, an exhibition of Egyptian art and the human mummy Padihershef displayed within a three-dimensional artistic environmental installation recreating an Egyptian Temple and Tomb. Acted as a liaison to collaborating organizations including Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Hampden Gallery, University of Massachusetts; Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Public Forum, 88.5 FM/WFCR Public Radio for Western New England, and WGBY Public Television for Western New England
- Designed and fabricated the “Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center “(10/19/02-present) George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Springfield, a permanent interactive gallery for children and families with floor-to-ceiling Buddhist inspired murals, hands-on learning stations and a coordinated work schedule of contractual staff, interns and volunteers
- Designed and fabricated “Kathmandu” (2/2/97 - 4/30/00) George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Springfield, MA, a moveable Tibetan Buddhist temple with multiple shrine rooms.
- Created Tibetan Entry Gate, Prayer Wheel Temple, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. as part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival (6/23 – 7/4/00).
- Designed and fabricated “The Algonkian Camp” (10/4/98 – 1/3/99) George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Springfield, MA, a reconstruction of a Native American camp with authentic wigwams and interactive components that included a deer hide scraping rack, mortar and pestle and reproductions of tools and equipment.
- Designed and fabricated “The Victorian Children's Room” (3/21-10/1/96) George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, a decorated interior that featured an exhibition of Victorian toys and games and hands-on activity areas.
- Designed and fabricated “Timbuktu” (10/15/95 - 2/25/96) George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, a three-dimensional installation representing the North African city of Timbuktu during the 16th century (in collaboration with Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School.)
- Designed and Fabricated “In the Land of Castles and Kings” (1993) Real suits of Medieval European Armor, Swords and Furniture set within an artistic conception of medieval spaces, George Walter Vincent Art Museum, Springfield Museums