Q: How long have you been an artist? Please tell us a little about your chosen medium.
A: I’ve been drawing since I was probably 3 or 4. I started playing around with oil paints in my high school art classes. I actually learned how to paint with oils before acrylics, and just never found any medium I liked better.
Q: Have you been trained, and if so from what institution? Or are you self taught?
A: I got with my BFA with a concentration in painting from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY in 2010.
Q: What inspires your creations?
A: Music, and just whatever’s going on with me or people around me will reflect in the work once its finished. I don’t plan out the “meaning” a lot of the time, but it’ll often make sense to me once its finished.
Q: Was your family supportive of your artistic endeavors?
A: Yes, absolutely.
Q: Is there someone special who has encouraged your work and your path as an artist?
A: Buddy Nestor, who is also an artist, is someone very special to me. Also, as he puts it, has always been my biggest “cheerleader”. He has always been tremendously supportive in everything I do and always pushed me to go outside of my comfort zone.
Q: What are your hopes and dreams or future goals?
A: I just want to keep painting and exhibiting. I’m also currently apprenticing to become a tattoo artist as well.
Q: If you could meet any artist who is no longer living, who would it be?
A: Zdzisław Beksiński.
Q: Tell us about the ghostly elements in your art?
A: I’ve been told numerous times my paintings lean more towards to macabre spectrum, with looming ghostly qualities such as floating hair and glowing eyes. I really don’t know where it comes from a lot of the time. I’ve always just been drawn to that kind of imagery. I’ve been obsessed with all things horror since I was a kid. And my ongoing anxiety probably always finds a way to slip in there somewhere!
Q: Have you ever seen a ghost?
A: No, but being alone in old houses has always spooked me. I’m also 29 and I’m still afraid to leave my feet uncovered when I sleep at night cause for some reason I still think somethings going to grab them.
Q: Do you have a favorite ghost story?
A: I love “Ghost Story” by Peter Straub. Also anything Thomas Ligotti writes scares the crap out of me. Especially “Teatro Grottesco”, which is a collection of absolutely horrifying short stories.
