How did you hear about Fresh Squeezed 2?
I remember seeing the call for artists for Fresh Squeezed, in 2016, but felt I was not ready to apply for it. I had not been creating art for very long at that point. When I saw this opportunity pop up again on the Morean Art Center website, I applied and was accepted.
How has Florida informed your art?
I moved to Florida from Chicago, Illinois. I won't say that Chicagoan's aren't friendly, but will say that Floridian's overall will strike up a conversation with anyone. The folks here are just ready to talk to everyone, and that type of hospitality takes some getting used to. That has shown me how much we conversate and don't pay homage to the fact we can't grow and move forward without each other. Also, Florida days and evenings are also very bright and vivid which show up as beautiful, bold colors in my artwork.
You have a lot of your art displayed on Instagram. Clearly, IG has changed the game for a lot of people — how has it impacted your career?
Instagram clearly represents a well-rounded view of my artwork and my world, and visually speaks for me where I am not present. In terms of impact I don't think I have used it enough to be able to accurately measure when it has helped my career.
You’re an artist and an executive assistant — how do you balance the two (asking for a friend!)?
Whew! This is a great question! There is no balance. I work with "timeframes" and within that frame I focus 100% on the task at hand. Every morning I check work emails, then sit down to paint and draw for one-two hours before going to my day job. Once at work, generally 100% of my attention is on the job with breaks in between. Sacrifice is what I use in place of the word "balance" such as sacrificing NFL, golf and keeping up with what's on the TV. I still haven't seen Game of Thrones.
What’s the best thing people can take away from your art?
That we can't survive without each other and there is beauty, knowledge and lessons in every conversation we have.
Where is home, and why?
Currently St. Petersburg, Florida. It's vibrancy and diversity is a fit for my family.
What’s your next great adventure?
I'm on my next great adventure right now! Additionally it would be awesome to qualify for a nice grant (or three), creatiing of 10-20 large scale artworks for a traveling exhibtion.
This article appears in Mar 8-15, 2018.