Nobody Understands Me The Way That You Do Painting

I was born in New York City and currently live in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, USA. I am a painter. This photo of me was taken by Tony Nelson. My current paintings tell the story of my daily life. Rather than illustrate my stories in confessional detail, with people and situations which are recognizable snapshots from my daily existence, I transform my personal experiences into archetypal stories and images which are universal and can be shared by all. I'm a natural-born storyteller, and during my college years I gravitated toward writing as a profession. Although I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and have an enduring love for words, I've never been able to sustain the kind of passion for the craft of writing which has come naturally to me as a painter. So painting is the way I've chosen to tell my story, and oil painting is my medium of preference. The style I use to depict my life is a meticulously-painted surrealism. In my art, as in my life, everything is confusing, hidden agendas abound, and daily life is a dream or a nightmare, depending on how one chooses to view it. I sometimes use humor in my art as a way of engaging the viewer and inviting them to participate in a friendly dialogue about the issues I'm raising. Some of the archetypes I use in my paintings are the stuff of Biblical stories or folktales, such as Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden or Pinocchio (the Liar). I'm fond of certain universal symbols: the banana appears often in my paintings, sometimes as a phallic symbol and sometimes as a symbol for mistakes or aging. There are other archetypes, such as The Suitor and The Secret Admirer, the Ugly Duckling and the Faithful Dog. Lately I've been using myself as the subject of my paintings. The self-portrait has been a natural outgrowth of my striving for authenticity in my work. Putting my own recognizable image in my work is my way to stand up and be counted. Although my work begins with personal experiences, it's ultimately about the drama, passion and mystery of the human condition.