I showed drawings, a painting and the Tripod Stool at the RAW Artists Event here in Tucson last week. I don’t have nearly enough free time to do many events so I took this opportunity to show a variety of pieces. These are some of the small projects I have been up to in last 6 months. The painting is a slightly abstracted depiction of a shoe lace. It is painted in acrylic on a wooden panel. I designed the panel itself to slide open to be used as storage space or as a secret compartment.

The stool is a tri-symmetrical design constructed of stainless steel and mild steel. It is a structurally strong furniture piece inspired by modern industrial forms of design and fabrication. More to come.

The human invention of tools is a pivotal moment in the history of man. It separated us from animals. It carried us to a new level of existence and elevated us to the top of the food chain. When man used his hands to master tooling and crafting he became a whole new being. Ever since, people have handed down ideas and methods of creation along to the following generations. I love to see skilled, hand-crafted work. I have a lot of respect for people who learn to master techniques in various trades and artforms. As I grow as an artist, I keep my eyes focused on mastering my execution of ideas; balancing the big picture and the small details.

There is always room for growth. Always something new to learn. As I move forward in life and in my artistic career I look forward to all the new things that await me in the future.

I like to study how the objects we value somehow become us. The things we try to acquire and choose to keep say something about each one of us. As much as I enjoy drawing things I like, I enjoy opening up to things around me. My friend Joe recently lent me a set of his clippers so I could draw them. I wouldn’t call this a portrait of him but the drawing does suit him.

Here’s a new drawing. I like working on these small pieces. The detail demands a lot of attention and it makes my mind sink into the work. I constantly remember my junior high art teacher, Mr. Randolph, who always told me, “Draw what you see, not what you think you see.”

Sometimes the process of creating pulls me toward a direction I don’t plan on going in. Some projects just somehow piece themselves together. Here’s the latest drawing.

I began focusing my efforts towards making art about 7 years ago. I began creating a body of work, mainly consisting of acrylic paintings. About two years ago, I felt it was time to move onto something greater. I was content with my former body of work. Then I faced a dilemma. I honestly didn’t know where to go with my creative work. I felt that I had matured and that I needed to move on to new conceptions. I was at a standstill with my indecisive self. I had so much energy and was ready to begin working, but I had nowhere to direct my energy. I then stopped trying to strategize and I began to do the simple things I like doing. A sketch here and there led me to draw my shoes. I then drew other things around my workspace. I still don’t know where I am heading, but I feel happy with where this creative process is taking me.

If I’m not working to improve my work and my skills, I feel like I’m letting myself down. I don’t know if I can ever be content with who I am as an artist. I refuse to compare my self to my peers. I want to compare myself to my favorite artists and designers. I want to achieve more than those whom I admire. I want to be more than any one expects.

This is one of my latest drawings. These are one of my favorites sneakers. I remember seeing older kids with these when I was younger. I wanted them back then but I didn’t get them until a couple years ago.