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 Biography
Born in
Cincinnati, Ohio, 1962
BS in Industrial Design, University of Cincinnati
Some of my earliest memories are of creating things (toys, games etc,)
and I've also always been fascinated with anything mechanical, often
taking household items apart, much to my parents' disapproval. I took
art classes in high school and I went to college for Industrial Design.
Before becoming a full-time artist in 2000, my professional work consisted
of making props, models and miniatures for television commercials, still
photographers, and movies. I created things that couldn't be found anywhere
else. These included a 5-foot ping pong paddle for a Japanese television
show, miniature laser printers for a magazine ad and marionettes for
TNT's "Rudy and Go-Go's World Famous Cartoon Show." I attribute my skill
at aging partially to the experience I gained working on the John Sayles'
movies, Eight Men Out and City of Hope.
Artist Statment
Much of my work is unseen. Whether it’s an intricate part of a mechanism
or the curve of a leg,; so much of what I do is not instantly apparent. On a kinetic
piece, 50-60 percent of my time is spent on the mechanism hidden inside the work. I
hand-carve the bodies of all my figures and sculpt each head one at a time, doing
things the old-fashioned way. No corners are cut, no shortcuts taken. When making a
piece that moves, I aspire to produce a piece that will operate for years to come. A
great deal of time is spent perfecting the mechanisms to ensure I will never have to
spend my time repairing them.
The special people who collect my art understand what goes into creating it. They
appreciate the hours, days, weeks, and sometimes months of dedication it takes to
create these unique pieces.
Woodcarving was my initial approach to creating the figures, but lately I've
found myself using materials as diverse as fabric, polymer clay, and found objects.
Electrical motors, miniature lights and motion-detectors have been added to my
mechanical repertoire.
For the most part, I approach my work searching for that
characteristic of the human spirit that struggles to overcome anything fate can throw
its way. I've always been on the side of the underdog, rooting for the little guy.
Their lives and stories inspire me.
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