How many years have you worked as a professional artist?
15 years ... I began working full time in early 1997 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
You are well known for your stunning “fish-artwork” but do you also get inspiration from other things in your life - your fantastic Ducati bike for example ?
Everything aesthetic inspires me....Landscapes, people, wild-life but mostly COLOR and different color combinations. Trout are what I call the “dance of the dots” ... striking color combos balanced with spots.....perfect contrasting colors as well. The Ducati was a breath of fresh air from the easel so I wanted to find a way to be productive while breaking from the easel.....hence the “Bug Art”. :)
To chose a life as an artist is a very insecure and different way of making a living - so how did your parents and family supported you in this decision?
They encouraged me to go for it! From the very beginning I had clients buying my work so this continued to grow. Being an artist is the highest calling as everything I see is materialized from an idea. The greatest challenge is getting this idea out of my mind onto a canvas.
As a creative person as you must enjoy music, so I’m curious to know what your favorite band or type of music is? - and I also would like to know if you listen to music when you’re creating a new painting?
Yes! I love music when I paint. Wordless music mostly like House/Techno/Lounge type pod casts. Brad Miller’s Push the Night podcast is my favorite. I also like The Kings of Leon, Coldplay & Thievery Corporation. But I usually don’t change the music much. Maybe every 2 years I’ll accept another artist into my ears. :) This year it is the Kings of Leon.....Matthew Followill bought one of my prints so I bought his albums and they are amazing to paint to!
Madd ox