As early as I can remember growing up in upstate New York, I was interested in Art. I especially recall at four years old sitting on my mother’s knee while she studied slides for her Art History class. Chagall’s “I and the Village” was among my favorites. In kindergarten, my teacher notified my parents of my talent when she saw the accurate self-portrait I was assigned to illustrate for my locker door. Apparently, every tooth and strand of hair was depicted. Soon I was drawing everything, including sets for school plays, portraits of friends, caricatures, and comic heroes, often for a fee.
I grew to admire artists such as Sargent and Remington. I also admired Bill Seinkewicz, Kent Williams, Brian Bolland, numerous painters from the Baroque period, and the concepts of Tim Burton as a means of inspiration. I was as an illustrator for my first summer job at a T-shirt company, where I designed shirts for various television shows. Throughout junior and senior high school I won several art contests and my illustrations were exhibited at the New York State Museum. I also won five Gold Awards from the Golden Key International Honor Society for my illustrations.
Soon, I was off to Syracuse University, where I was awarded its highest portfolio rating and a scholarship to its School of Visual and Performing Arts. I studied under such masters as John Thompson, Yvonne Buchanan, Dave De Vries, Bob Dacey and Roger DeMuth. I received my degree and moved to New York City a few weeks later to accept my first job. I continue to reside in New York City as a free-lance sculptor and illustrator.