I was raised in Northwest Indiana where some of the most beautiful landscapes abruptly end at the fences of giant industrial complexes. Urban landscapes that once thrived are now in a tailspin of economic and environmental disaster. Having been raised in that area, it seemed normal for beautiful sandy beaches to be interrupted by hazardous area signs, and gorgeous sunsets to have a smoke stack in silhouette with them. These scenes of my youth have imbedded themselves in my subconscious and have led me down a unique path of artistic exploration. I find it fascinating to incorporate hard industrial elements in works that address nature, or the human presence and form. In some of my work I have even played with the conundrum I find myself in considering the use of electricity generated locally, that I then consume to create work that generally is addressing the negativity of the system. The thought complexity, and conviction I put into my work is all directly connected with a guilt I feel as a postindustrial human.
My education started after enrolling at the American Academy of Art. This led me to my mentor and good friend Bobby Joe Scribner. A professor at the academy and a free-lance sculptor, Bobby Joe introduced me to the world of steel sculpture. It was the perfect medium for a young man like myself to use to express my complicated emotions surrounding Industry and Nature. Working with Bobby Joe turned into an Apprenticeship lasting nearly three years. Next I found myself working toward structural welding certificates. The last step in my undergraduate studies was returning to academia at Ball State University. This small State school in East Central Indiana boasts one of the finest sculpture/3D facilities in the Midwest. I spent two years in attendance here making some of the most powerful works of my career thus far, with a thesis containing all the research and evidence necessary to back up the series.
I now find myself residing in Denver Colorado. Here I am assembling a shop and studio to continue my personal work as well as offer my fabrication services to the public via commissioned work as well as open studio space and classes to those interested in learning to do the work themselves.