I love history, “old master” art, ancient architecture and antiques – basically I like old stuff. The pieces I create reflect that. I use vintage mannequins because they simply are the best ever produced in form and quality. I use antique clock-works and other mechanisms that are fun to look at. And I think that a skeleton is the most fascinating architectural and sculptural masterpiece ever seen by man.
I also really like patinas – be it rust or verdigris, they lend a flavor of age and history to an object as well as a sense of mystery. I like finding discarded items and re-purposing them in a unique way. And I really like using a mannequin either as a vessel to showcase the fact that we are quickly losing our humanity to our dependence on machines and computers, or as canvas upon which to bring to life 2-dimensional images.
Sometimes I’m inspired by the random materials I find, sometimes by other artists, sometimes by mother nature. I do sometimes take advice and suggestions, but mostly adhere to what the great sculptor Szukalski said; “If you want to create new things for this world, never listen to anybody.”
I’ve recently acquired a new appreciation for the chaotic order of nature with it’s vibrant, primary colors and patterns and it’s bold design. Instead of taking the traditional route of, say, painting a landscape, I’m taking that view of nature and wrapping it around another natural product (bamboo) to create my “landscapes”. Each piece of bamboo is individually and distinctly hand-painted and laid next to one another and framed to create a contemporary yet traditional view of groves of trees. Next year it could be something completely unrelated and different that guides me – stay tuned!