“I believe if something created increases the value of someone’s experience of living, that is art.”

I have spent a majority of my life exploring various creative avenues and honing a range of skills to finally focus on doing work I love. This focus makes me feel invigorated and certain that I am on the right path.

Being an artist means feeling compelled by a thought in the form of an image and feeling obligated to expose it for others to interpret and hopefully enjoy. I have grown into the “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” philosophy of what is or is not art. I believe if something created increases the value of someone’s experience of living, that is art. And of course, art is all around us in that way. The simple power of increasing the value of life, I think, comes from a higher calling. Once someone believes they have arrived as an artist, I think there is an inner obligation to nurture that and continue producing in order to further enhance their own life and that of others. When art brings forth happiness and adds beauty to the world, that, I think, is the result of a higher calling. Because I always feel a need to be creating, I know this must be my mission in life.

To keep evolving as an artist, I am always looking for inspiration. I find it all around me, in everyday moments, in the vibrant energy of urban life, and in the natural world. I am also deeply inspired by the music and culture of the '80s, particularly music videos that defined that era on MTV. For me, those videos are intertwined with the nostalgia of summer breaks as a kid—long, sweltering days where I had more time to immerse myself in creative experiments with video rock music playing in the background. The festive, party vibe of those summers, coupled with the vibrant energy of the music, continues to influence my work. This nostalgia often finds its way into my art, blending the timeless essence of summer with the iconic imagery of '80s pop culture. These two worlds occasionally merge into a single piece, reflecting the way they are inextricably linked in my creative mind as my “Perpetual Summer” continues.