Anderson, SC
I am a narrative oil painter who focuses on human interest stories that can be poignant, funny or even a hot button topic. I tell these stories using toys, people, or animals, with a strong preference for vintage toys. Using old toys has a way of instantly grabbing people’s attention and bringing up memories from their own childhoods. That is what pulls viewers in. Once they look closer, they notice there’s more going on than they first expected, and a story starts to unfold.
My work is very much about observation of what is going on around us. I’m interested in how people see themselves, how they relate to others, and how big picture issues play out on a human level. When I take on a hot button subject, my goal isn’t to lecture or push a specific viewpoint. Instead, I try to show a different perspective than what we’re constantly fed through social media or the news. Ultimately, I hope to open the door to more thoughtful, positive conversations.
My process itself is an important part of how I work. Many of my paintings start as physical setups that I build by hand. I construct sets using materials like foam core, wood, and polymer clay, carefully arranging each object so it plays a role in the story. This allows me to control every detail before I ever pick up a paintbrush. I enjoy adding small visual clues, what I like to call "Easter eggs" throughout the scene, little details that viewers might miss at first. Some of these ideas even come to me as I'm painting! My hopes are when someone spends time with my painting, it becomes almost like a visual scavenger hunt, where more of the story reveals itself the longer they look.
One example of this approach can be seen in my painting I’m Too Sexy. The piece shows Mr. Potato Head standing in his bedroom, looking into the mirror and admiring himself while imagining his reflection as Ken. The room is slightly messy, with personal items scattered on the floor. Every part of the scene, the door, coat rack, hat, and glasses was handmade by me, with the exception of Mr. Potato Head and Ken. At face value, the painting is playful and humorous, but underneath it touches on ideas of self-image and how we see ourselves versus how we want to be seen.
At the heart of my work is storytelling. I want people to slow down, look closely, and connect their own experiences to what they see. By combining handcrafted environments, familiar objects, and layered narratives, I aim to create paintings that feel approachable, engaging, and quietly thought-provoking.
