Tell us about you!
I’m a practical romantic. I value the bond of family and friends, the beauty of nature and I care deeply for the creative spirit.
Can you tell us a little bit about your artwork?
My work emerges from a process of ongoing engagement with nature and an on going pursuit of photography. I like to explore a subject working through a theme that produces a body of work. The goal is normally an exhibition.
My current work is “Loss and Found” It is what I call a natural
world collage. This work has taken my photography in a different direction and has opened me up to the use of found materials and the creation of organic dream catchers. ”Loss and Found” took root in a period of personal profound loss. I needed time to wrap my head around a pain that was indescribable. I was called into nature where I wondered, collected and took note of my loss. Wanting to hold on to something I started photographing the collection and building organic dream catchers.
Can you tell us a little bit about the moment you realized you were an artist?
I was sitting on the floor upstairs in my childhood home in midtown Memphis. I was drawing images that I found in the wood flooring. This is were I discovered I wanted to be an artist, but not until I received my first camera in 1979 did I declare I was a photographer and photography became my creative expression.
How did you learn your necessary skills?
I learned the necessary skills by working with other professional photographers, attending school, earning a BFA, and MFA mainly practice behind the camera.
Are there specific opportunities or challenges that focused your career?
Living in California gave me the opportunity to meet and work many exceptional photographers.
Who do you consider as your most influential mentor?
One of my most influential mentor was Cal Sparks. He was my college professor. Cal was always straight with me. He’s the one that made me aware that talent is not enough. You have to put in the time.
Artists are extremely resourceful and often create multiple streams of income. How do you generate income to support yourself and artistic practice?
When I stopped relying on my photograph for income I started investing in real estate.
How do you measure success in your work?
I measure success in many different ways. One way is mastering new methods or completing a body of work but the greatest satisfaction is having a client hang my work in their home or office. That is the biggest compliment I can receive.
What artist inspires you the most?
Every artist inspires me one way or another but today I have a fondness for Michael Kenna.
Do you have a creative hour, or a time/ place/ or activity that inspires your creativity?
Travel, nature and the morning light inspire me. I create best in the morning. My mind is fresh and energy level is high.
Do you have a ritual or do you set specific assignments for yourself?
Yes, I set assignments for myself. I work best with goals and deadlines.
As a kid what did you see yourself doing as a career?
I believe I have always wanted to be an artist.
What told you ‘this is the life for me’? When?
When I was living in California, work with MOPA and traveling the American west in the 80’s. It was a magical time meeting and studying with photographs like Ruth Bernhard, Eikoh Hosoe, Marie Cosindas, Harry Callahan and Alfred Eisenstaedt. There was a lot of accessible talent and the West coast embraced photograph as an art form. Being and living on the west coast told me this was my life.
What compromises have you had to make in order to succeed? Has it been worth all of your effort?
Balancing work and family have always been my biggest challenge.
What do you love about being an Arrow Creative?
I love being apart of a community. There’s a synergy that keeps me energetic and engaged with other creatives. I enjoy new people coming into my space and discovering my work. It’s my new happy space.