Dizzy Gillespie (Spirit Rising) - Limited Edition of 3 Print

I spend a great deal of time exploring color; it’s subjective nature, it’s ability to arouse feelings in the subconscious, and the way it creates depth in two dimensional space. Shades and tone play a vital role in my images, giving emphasis to a certain detail, creating space between two elements, or adding a sense of gravity or levitation. I often think of how children see the world as I paint; simple shapes, bright, new colors, and a knowledge of themselves that often gets lost as they age. As a kid I knew my place in the world and didn’t care about my place in history. I’d like the simplicity of that life back. I love old things…. from my 17 year old dog to my 51 year old truck, from jazz to boxing; the ingrained narrative of things that have withstood time. I don’t buy into the concern for celebrity that plagues the modern digital age. I long for the days when people spent more time on porches with neighbors and less time in front of screens. I graduated with a degree in art from The University of Georgia and spent years chasing other careers; from sales to firefighting. Fourteen years later, after a serious injury, I found myself picking up art again. I now create art full time, and live in Chattanooga, TN with my wife and a herd of elderly animals.