An artist statement should give context to the work an artist produces, I believe. It should allow others the ability to see what may not be readily apparent in the work alone if they desire to know more.   Regardless, an artist's work should stand on its own.   I encourage you to look at my work prior to reading my artist statement.   The work is more important.   The artist statement is optional.

What do you want people to do or to get out of your art?

For the paintings and drawings that are quiet enough to live with, I want people to adopt them into their living spaces and let them silently filter into their lives.   A good painting occupies more space than just the surface of the canvas.   It should be something that affects the room in which it is hung and may interact with other pieces or objects in the room.   I want people to use the painting to compose a space that allows them to feel more alive and raise their awareness and sensation of reality.   I want someone to savor my work for a long period of time, and to come back to it again and again.

For the paintings and drawings which may be too unsettling to live with in a quiet space, I hope they are hung in a place which can compete with their strength.   This may be a public space like a museum or a space with many voices and visuals where one strong image can bring together a collection of seemingly incongruous or ambiguous ideas; even possibly in someone's home.  

Once a painting changes hands to a collector, I believe it is then up to the collector to compose with it like the artist who composed with the raw materials originally.   Furthermore, art should trigger a waterfall of composing by others whether it be physically arranging a space with the painting or composing an idea in writing to illustrate a philosophy or concept.   The best curating of art creates ideas and tells stories about our humanity or in-humanity.   I want to facilitate people telling their stories and feeling the sensation of being alive.   The best is when someone who looks at my work can say, "I like this because...".   At that point they are also telling something about themselves.  

What is art for?

It should change your life, your perspective, your emotions, your ideas.  

What is not readily apparent about your work?

If a painting is dry, I show people that they should touch it and feel the surface of the painting and lines.   Paintings are tangible objects.   I wish galleries and museums had the ability to let people touch art; but I understand having such a policy would cause many artworks to decay or be destroyed.

What interests of yours influence your work?

Philosophy about classism and affluence, power and truth

The male body and sexuality

The layering of muscle over bone and skin over muscle

Philosophers:   Hegel, Thorstein Veblen, Nietzsche

Color theory

Joseph Campbell

Buddhism and mindfulness

Gil Fronsdal's dharma talks

Designing or building textiles

Political intrigue

The cold war

The concept of royalty

Idea of justice and law

Photojournalism

What interests do you have outside of fine art that may influence your work?

Textiles

Needlework

Craftwork of all kinds

Weaving

Kilim rugs, especially from Afghanistan, Turkey and Tibet

Quilting

Knitting

What do you currently listen to while working?

Classical:   chamber, Bach, symphony, piano sonatas, cello, Baroque

Swing and jazz era, big band

Reggae and dub

What do you do for a living besides art and why?

I maintain financial independence by working in the field of human-computer interaction HCI as an user experience architect or information architect.   The problem solving component of user experience is intriguing and complements the creative process without interfering with it visually. My strength lies in the ability to comprehend an abstract entity and boil it down to concrete terms. In some ways it mimics the process of my painting. Both are about the process of translating for others and communicating about the human condition.  My greatest interests in HCI are in social responsibility, healthcare and public policy.