About the Artist |
I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, the youngest of 8 siblings. I received my BFA from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and my MA and MFA from the University of Iowa with an emphasis in Printmaking. I began my teaching career at UTEP in 1996 where I taught basic drawing courses part-time. I was hired full-time in 1997 as Gallery Director for the Department of Art and continued to teach drawing courses. I was Director for three years and then decided to move back to Iowa City, Iowa, where I taught life-drawing part-time for a semester at the University of Iowa and also worked at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art as a Preparator. I currently live in La Center, Washington with my wife Joan. I teach drawing, printmaking and life-drawing courses at Portland Community College in Portland, OR. I continue to exhibit my works at various galleries throughout the country.
All my works are self-portraits, a reflection of my life, from the death of my father to the joys of being alive. My images have been described as humorous, insightful, and disturbing. Many of works are a play on words and imagery, with mythological creatures and a combination of human and animal characters (logic and instinct) playing a vital role. I view my works as a window to another world with reoccurring characters and themes. My work tiptoes between surreal and absurd. When making my art, I play the role of the viewer and try to capture a glimpse into this strange world, a world where anything is possible and where anything can, and often does, happen.
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