Where are you from originally?
Buffalo, N.Y. Old First Ward
Where are you living now, and when are you moving back to Buffalo?
Currently living in Joplin, M.O. Moving back to Buffalo this coming spring.
What is your medium?
Mostly acrylics and spraypaint at the moment.
How has Buffalo influenced your work?
The city made me who I am. Taught me to work hard for what I need and want out of life. The changes I see are amazing. Seeing the foot of Hamburg St and the Mutual Riverfront Park put a tear in my eye having grown up in The Ward and seeing how beautiful the park is turning out to be. The area has changed so much and I love it. My wife who is from Missouri fell in love with Buffalo instantly (with the help of Carbones and the Blackthorne) and she’s ready to move up there too. Of course I am looking to move back to The Ward. I love my old neighborhood and with Canalside and all of the river parks going in, it looks like The Ward will be the place to be once again.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Mostly from my old neighborhood. It has a history of character. From the grain elevators to the river to downtown.
Name an artist (or more) that most inspires you?
Street artists in general. Banksy being my favorite.
What is your preferred subject matter?
Buildings that I grew up around and always thought were so grand and parts of the city that made it unique.
How do you feel you can best advance to the next level, or are you most happy where you are now?
Hopefully making a name for myself will help me advance. Doing volunteer work for causes has helped me towards that goal.
What is another medium that you would like to learn? Or that you have already learned?
I would love to do sculpture with metal.
Is there a purpose to your artwork?
To inspire others to find their own talents and pursue them to the max
How often do you work on your art?
Usually twice a week between work.
What or who first prompted you to venture into the art world?
I stepped away for a long time until the May 22nd, 2011 Tornado that hit Joplin put things into a different perspective for me. I did a mural there that inspired the town and myself.
What or who first prompted you to venture into the art world?
My mom and my teachers at P.S. #4
Have you been schooled in art? Are you planning on attending art school? If so, where?
Buffalo Arts Academy c/o 1992. I would love to take some classes in computer graphics.
Where is your favorite venue in Buffalo to exhibit?
Any that would have me to be honest. Getting my feet in the door when I get back home will be priority #1
Is there a gallery in Buffalo that you would like to show your work in, but haven’t yet?
464 definitely and I really hope to do some mural work all over the city
Where did you learn your craft?
I was a graf artist before I went to school at Arts Academy. It helped me see other art forms. I have kept my graf routes but mostly in a mural sense.
What are your strengths?
Water and Sky
What are your weaknesses?
Faces
Name one person that you would like to sell a work of art to?
Donald Trump
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
Self expression
What’s the worst thing about being an artist?
Being your worst critic
Anything else?
I have been trying to go one for one with Painting for Preservation painting the same places they do in their “art-in” events. Showing my support from here. Also did a Bethlehem Old North buiding painting for Dana Saylor for her fight for the building’s future. Also working on things for my friend Jeremy Wells who I grew up with and his company B-Loved.
Support our local artists. Here are a few more Buffalo artists and artisans to brush up on:
Kristin Damstetter, Alana Adetola Fajemisin, Sarah and John Cozzemera, Rob Hopkins, Jennifer Seth-Cimini, Elisabeth Strong, Michael Mulley, Patricia Schwimmer, Mikel Doktor, Jerome Greenberg, Elizabeth Leader, Jacqueline Welch, Doreen DeBoth, Joe Cascio, Candace Masters, Iris Kirkwood, Lukia Costello, Michael Morgulis, Julie Leatherbarrow, Chris Liberti, Michael Mararian, Daniel Rodgers, Bruce Adams, Ken Payne, Christina Cooke, Elise Anne Brooks, Frank Cravotta, Jackie Albarella, Gary Melius,Melissa Campbell, Jeff Quigley, Nancy Moran