Portrait of a Nation - Limited Edition of 10 Print

Color, thought and experiences (past and future) are primarily what influence my projects. My present environment, as well, as my former daily environments are continuously flowing through my thoughts and colliding. My work is the result of me trying to make sense of my non-linear world. Photography has always been a mainstay of my expression. It often is an attempt to convey to others something I feel is significant/special. I endeavor to convey the experience, but this is often elusive. My use of traditional photography has evolved with it’s digital manipulation into collages using my photos, objects in my environment and almost always of which many are “pop culture” or common. Often an underlying theme or social commentary is being considered. Also of influence is my fascination with the former Soviet/“communist” countries and their culture, art, daily life, etc. My first exposure as a kid was from listening to Eastern bloc propaganda on my grandfather’s short-wave radio, as well, as reading issues of Soviet Life magazine in 6th grade social studies. This being said, I aim to show the bright side of humanity through depictions of culture and architecture which show some of the ideals /promises of the state and aspirations of the people. In other words, these former Eastern Bloc countries were communist, and we viewed them often from the West as a bit behind, oddball, generic and sometimes as this strange enemy as with the former USSR. But despite fears of communism taking over the world by force with nuclear weapons, these countries also had a transitory “good will” where the state did embark on some projects for the good of the people and on a grand scale. Think or say what you will, you will always find goodness when you look for it. Sometimes, you just have to be ok if you do find it. We’re put on this earth to see one another through.