So I really love your work. I always know it’s one of yours as I scroll through my feed. What medium do you work in mostly and how long have you been working on your craft?

I’m always surprised when people say they recognize my work, I’m always afraid it’s all over the place subject wise and stylistically. I just paint what ever I feel in the moment and try different styles to push myself. Mostly I paint on canvas board or canvas paper and use what ever I have around that feels right, weather it’s house paint, acrylic or oil. Really anything that gets the job done in the moment, that also means using a knife, fingers or a brush. I don’t get hung up on materials, I only care about the end result and how I’m feeling during the process.

Love to see that level of commitment. And I love that concept of using what’s there and not becoming obsessed with technicality. Do you sit down with a concept or allow the idea to evolve while you’re creating it?

Yeah, this is just my opinion, but people who obsess over materials are just procrastinating haha. I’m Probably wrong but that’s just my feeling sometimes. Just go for it you know. Worry about that stuff later.

Each piece is different, but usually I don’t have a concept. It’s like writing in a journal to me, each piece is what I’m feeling at the time. I use it as a way to think through emotions or something I’m ruminating on. The inspiration can come from someone I see or an interaction as well; so I guess in that way some of them could have a concept. But I usually don’t know how they will look. I just allow myself to let the painting take me where it wants to go based on how I’m feeling.

The funny thing is, if a piece just isn’t going anywhere inspiring to me, which happens sometimes, I start to not care about it, and approach it from a more frustrated, careless or free way, and those end up usually being my favorite.

But yeah I love the process, because I’m just as excited to see what comes out as anyone else. It’s so cliche and stupid to say, but it really feels like it just comes out of nowhere. My brain sucks up inspiration from everything around me and then I zone out and squeeze it onto canvas somehow.

That’s an awesome way to think about it. Like a slow motion freeze frame of your experience in those moments. Are there any painters you looked up to, or moments in your life that encouraged you to go further down this path?

Yeah it’s really a snapshot on my thoughts, it’s so strange. I actually know nothing about art history or too many artists, I’m not trained so I actually think that helps me in some ways. I’m not held back by training if that makes sense. Since I have no idea what I’m doing, I can’t do anything wrong. It’s all just play time to me. I know like Dali and Picasso.

That’s interesting, I can see how that would help you develop a unique style.

I hope so, I can’t really tell what my stye is. But when other people are into it, that feeling never gets old. Each piece is such a personal thing that it’s cool when another person can connect to it.

Yeah, that’s what’s so cool about abstraction, people project their own feeling into the room you leave them. I definitely experience different emotions depending on which piece of yours I’m viewing.

Oh yeah it’s so funny when people message me about a piece and what they see in it. Because they see it so clearly, they think everyone sees the same thing. And it tells so much more about them than me.

Do you have an active dream world?

Unfortunately I don’t dream or at least I don’t remember my dreams. I wish I did because when it happens it’s fun. I used to dream as a kid, but unfortunately I don’t remember them anymore when I wake up.

I’ve actually thought since I use that part of my brain a lot while painting maybe I don’t need to get it out during sleep, since I’m always actively tapping into what I’ve seen and felt that day? But I don’t know, just something I’ve thought about.

What bits of advice might you give to a painter who is earlier along in their creative journey?

I don’t really like giving advice because I think part of the process is what direction and choices each person decides to make. As far as working I would just say be honest w yourself. Do you like the idea of being a painter or do you actually want to be a painter? If you like the idea of it that’s great, but if you really want to see where you can take it, turn Netflix off, maybe don’t go out as much, there’s a lot of sacrifice that comes along with pursuing something in arts because it’s just so damn hard to get yourself out there.

You really get out of it what you put in, that seems to be any creative field. Just keep practicing and growing. You’ll eventually find your style or voice, just keep pushing yourself.