2) Did you always create art as a kid, or did you come to it later in life?
I always had artistic tendencies as a child but art didn't fully come into my daily routine until my high school years. Stemming from drawing and painting, I gradually began to move towards photography from taking my first film class during my junior year.
3) which artists have influenced your work? Why and how?
Even though visual arts will always play a big role in my work, I am more so influenced by books and the outdoors. Hiking, backpacking, general wandering through unfamiliar landscapes bring forth new ideas just as strongly as roaming through museums and art galleries.
4) any other influences (people, places, ideas)?
the desert, philosophy, space, light,
5) tell me about your practice—how do you generate ideas, what medium do you use?
My artistic practice always starts off idea based. A thought floating around that eventually roots itself down to reality. Then i set off with my camera with a general concept in my mind .
6) is your art more concept-driven or image-driven?
it fluctuates. I always aim to have a large concept laying behind the image or artwork but there have been moments when the need to create simply is and the image comes forth.
7) why do you make the art you make?
The type of art i make its typically in line with where i am mentally, emotionally and spiritually in my life. It is currently revolving around natural forms, light, and time as this resonates strongly with my current direction both in life and art.
8) does your art influence your life, and vice versa?
I would say the need to create the type of work i am making now has a heavy influence on my life. It involves tons of planning both time wise and financially as well as sacrificing many comforts and safety nets in order to keep pursing my vision .
9) what do you think about the notion "the lonely artist"?
I think the "lonely artist" typically has a negative association but i always viewed it as an individual whom contains enough drive and Independence to follow their path despite social constrains and pressures. It is necessary and even fruitful for every artist to be able live comfortably in ones one solitude but crucial to bring back to the community all of the gifts that loneliness and solitude offer.
10) does your art connect you to the world in some way, or does it help you navigate the world?
My artwork absolutely helps me navigate and connect to me new places every time i pick up a camera or create a new body of work Whether i am traveling in my own backyard or over seas, creating brings me to places i may otherwise have not been too and opens up your world to others.
11) do you make art for yourself or other people?
At the beginning , the intent is to create for the sake of bringing that moment in time to life but once that is out in the world, it is not solely for you anymore. It it for others to gain perspective, inspiration and learn viewing the work through their own mental filter.
12) what purpose do you think art serves today?
Art is a wide spread from of communication that does not need borders, rules or barriers to be. It can spread from culture to religion to country and communicate ideas that may have otherwise lived in solitude within one person.
