I am a full time artist, and have been my entire working years (since 16). I attended the School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), studying Art and Art History, but I am a self taught painter, with no education in painting.
Things come to me, many things in many ways. I choose carefully, and appreciate them. I have a great fondness for all things handmade, particularly items which were made to be used for a function. Over the years I have amassed a large collection. I like to let things go, in order to allow new inspiration to come in.
I find items all over the country. I often take road trips across the states, and have traveled about 80% of Americas secondary highways and back roads, often driving 30,000 to 40,000 miles a year. I refrain from the interstates and only take the back roads through small towns and much of unseen America. I have driven around the entire country on month long trips on several occasions, almost always with my dog, finding all kinds of amazing art, vintage and antiques.
My shop is a collective of my work, as well as treasures I find on my journeys.