About myself and my work.
Education:
I have an education in art-making. I went to The Art Academy of Cincinnati where I received a BFA in drawing and then to The University of Montana where I received a Masters of Fine Arts in Sculpture. My education was largely self directed and throughout my life my practice has crossed between and mixing media. For this I am truly grateful because it has given me an understanding of a large variety of processes and materials.
Adventure:
I grew up outside of Chicago and the walls of the concrete playground were not able to hold my attention. I was always drawn to the outdoors but I truly became an outdoorsman the summer (2007) that I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. This experience transformed me from a city boy to a mountain man. Since then I have lived in the West.
Smokejumping:
After moving out west I randomly became a Wild Land Firefighter. I have spent time on different crews such as hotshot crews, engine crews, helitack crews, etc. but I eventually found a home in the smokejumper program. Firefighting packs are used in the most demanding of conditions and I have observed first hand the materials and construction techniques that work the best. Additionally we construct all of our own equipment some of which is lifesaving (think parachutes and harnesses). Here I learned the utmost in craftsmanship... something that your life literally depends on.
Education:
I have an education in art-making. I went to The Art Academy of Cincinnati where I received a BFA in drawing and then to The University of Montana where I received a Masters of Fine Arts in Sculpture. My education was largely self directed and throughout my life my practice has crossed between and mixing media. For this I am truly grateful because it has given me an understanding of a large variety of processes and materials.
Adventure:
I grew up outside of Chicago and the walls of the concrete playground were not able to hold my attention. I was always drawn to the outdoors but I truly became an outdoorsman the summer (2007) that I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. This experience transformed me from a city boy to a mountain man. Since then I have lived in the West.
Smokejumping:
After moving out west I randomly became a Wild Land Firefighter. I have spent time on different crews such as hotshot crews, engine crews, helitack crews, etc. but I eventually found a home in the smokejumper program. Firefighting packs are used in the most demanding of conditions and I have observed first hand the materials and construction techniques that work the best. Additionally we construct all of our own equipment some of which is lifesaving (think parachutes and harnesses). Here I learned the utmost in craftsmanship... something that your life literally depends on.