You’re a contemporary fine artist, but your background is in advertising. What prompted the shift?  How has your former professional life parlayed - or spoken - in your art?

The truth is, I’ve always made art throughout my life, I didn’t realize it ‘til more recently, but I always created from a place of natural draw. I never thought it would lead to me becoming a contemporary fine artist. I always knew I would need to work in a creative field to feel fulfilled, but the notion of a raw artist wasn’t originally what I had planned. 

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When I was about 8 years old, I made the firm declaration that I wanted to be a creative director in advertising. I always thought of myself as the “ideas person”, I believed others were more adept at visual creation, but conceptually I had something strong to offer. After becoming a Junior Art Director out of university, I began to see the limitations in success that you endure working for someone else; it was no longer the path I wanted for myself. Life has a funny way of showing you exactly who you were meant to be, because once I made the entrepreneurial shift, it felt like the easiest, most terrifying decision I ever made and I knew only magic comes from that kind of discomfort.

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My formative years in advertising can definitely be seen throughout so much of my work – my style plays on consumerism with a commercially graphic flare.

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As a Dreyfoos High School of the Arts grad (Visual Arts major, obviously), how did that environment (one unconventional from the typical high school experience) shape your affinity and talent for art?

To many's surprise, I was not a Visual Arts major, I actually went for Communications. Honestly, I attribute so much of my proliferation and love for the arts to Dreyfoos, mainly my peers – when you have the privilege of being surrounded by other extremely talented people at a young age you have this unabiding respect for them and their subsequent craft. It makes you acutely aware of what you’re good at and what needs work. Healthy competitiveness is what breeds great artists.

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Describe the role the community plays in your work. Do you have regional ‘South Florida' influences?

I’m proud to carry my South Florida upbringing close to my heart. There are always some references to the community in my work, but I would say the more prevalent aspect is that Florida molded me to be authentically myself. Everything I create has a thread of the Sunshine State in it purely because it comes from me.

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Are there particular themes or a conceptual territory you find yourself exploring time-and-time again?

The theme of “small things made large” is one that continues to flow from me into new bodies of work. Many of my series feature typically small objects made large: color swatches, prescription sheets, game cards, and so on. I considered stepping away from the concept several times until I realized something – my entire life my mother would say to me “good things come in small packages”. She undoubtedly told me this because I was a premature baby and have always been small in stature, but she knew that never mattered because I was always big in all the ways that mattered — big personality, big ideas, big energy. Her words were subtle encouragement, but they played a huge role in shaping my desire for greatness. So, for as long as that theme wants to show up in my work, I welcome it with open arms.

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What mediums do you enjoy working with most? 

I tend to be a bit ambivalent, so I prefer to work with Acrylic paint and mediums that dry a little faster – it helps to keep you moving during the creation process. I have to say I do also rather enjoy some of the non-traditional mediums I experiment with when creating some of the sculptural elements that accompany the paintings.

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For local art enthusiasts, where would you encourage them to “get their feet wet”? 

There is so much talent in Florida in various artistic mediums, my suggestion is to get inspired by more than just visual art, sometimes we’re most inspired where we least expect it. Here are a few of my favorite stops in Palm Beach County: The Norton Museum, Ballet Florida, Olwen Studios, Avenue Pottery, Juicy by Tropical Smokehouse, Oceano Kitchen, and Mary Lou’s.

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What feelings do you hope to evoke from people when they experience your work?

I’ve always said as long as my work is challenging the viewer to think or sparks a little introspection, my job here is done. We’re in short supply of intellect and mental connection so I am gently trying to bring that back to society, one artwork at a time.

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What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or exhibitions?

I’m in the midst of creating a new series of artworks to premiere this Summer. Outside of that, I just launched the first season of my new culinary concept called The Palatte in February and am currently filming season two. For some context, every episode of The Palatte features a famous piece of art that I translate into a complimentary dish based on color and feel. I breakdown themes in the artwork and how they relate to the finished plate created. It’s truly something different than ever done before, it brings me so much joy to finally share it with the world after nearly 3 years of conception.

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Short & Sweet: 

1. Dream artist collaboration…dead: Robert Rauschenberg + alive: CJ Hendry 

2. I unwind after a long day with… dinner and my dogs, Jack + Maverick.

3. I will never be able to give up… a sled dog mentality. 

4. I’m in peak ‘creative mode’ when…it's morning.

5. A local entrepreneur/tastemaker/thought leader I admire…Cathleen Ward, she’s our District 1 Commissioner, a lawyer, and leader in the community - I also have the good fortune of calling her my lifelong friend.