As you may have noticed I haven't updated the website in over a year. That is mostly due to life taking a different path than I expected and giving me a 9-5 job which has limited art production and art business in general. I'm not complaining as the job has allowed me to experience life from a different perspective than as a starving artist. That said I have been searching for ways to find more work/life balance. I have managed to paint sporadically and have started attending a 3 hour figure drawing session once a week in Northern Liberties. It is amazing how rusty I've gotten in such a short amount of time away.
I am a bit indecisive as to what path to take forward in regards to my art. I've been exploring some new ideas; some subject matter directly influenced by my job(which I will expand on in a future blog post), some painting method changes to make the most of the time I get to spend on art, and some inner conflict on the purpose of art(in general and in my own life).
I will update the site with something new soon, just need to decide what that will be. In the meantime feel free to join my mailing list to be the first  to know what's happening in the studio.

One of a few works in progress, this oil painting is on a 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide piece of hardboard, or masonite. Masonite boards are made of pressure-molded wood fiber and I use them frequently because they act as a sturdier painting surface than standard canvas or papers. I sand the 4 corners so they don't bend or chip and then prime both sides and all edges with acrylic "gesso" to ensure archival quality before applying paint. Typically my paintings are smooth and I paint very economically using thin layers of paint with added blending mediums to control drying times and the flow of the paint on the surface. However I will occasionally experiment with impasto(thick application of paint) to create texture in a painting. For this painting I am considering some use of impasto on the tall grass to the left and possibly on the bird itself to create a somewhat sculptural piece in the end. I may upload a few images of this one as it nears completion and another impasto painting I have started to show the difference in texture. Come back and visit my site often. There will be several new additions soon!

               Although it’s out of character for me to really speak my mind in this way, I felt compelled to write this blog entry (or long rant). Please keep in mind this is my opinion, and if you have any comments feel free to e-mail me. 
                Today marks the 12th anniversary of the tragic event that unfolded on what seemed like any other morning. We all remember it too clearly and may wish to forget, but we should always remember that life is fragile and everything can change in an instant. I for one, find it difficult to not express rage and frustration when thinking about the impact these individuals have on the world. 
                Our involvement in Syria and Benghazi are just proof we haven’t learned our lesson. We absolutely should not support either the rebels or the Syrian government, but instead help the innocent civilians, non-muslims who are persecuted for not submitting. If we are to arm anyone or take any action, it should be to support those willing to fight back against the jihadists. It is terrible that chemical weapons were possibly used on civilians, but we should keep in mind that over 100,000 were killed before that and the rest of the world didn’t react. It seems that those in power aren’t willing to stand up against radical islam, and rather support them. 
                Many seem to intentionally remain oblivious to the fact that the world is in turmoil and trust that the government has the people’s best interests in mind. I couldn’t honestly say this surprises me, as I prefer to focus on the positive in life through my art painting peaceful landscapes and trying to infuse my art with love. However I believe it is counterproductive for society to ignore what is really going on in the world, brushing it off as  something out of our control. I think we can make a difference. 
                There are many tributes to those who died on 9/11, and in events ever since. I would like to ask anyone reading this to join in another tribute to all that has made America great. It would be a tribute where we can all take part as individuals to become stronger in the face of those who intend to destroy us. I propose to “fundamentally transform America” into a country where we put aside our differences and help one another through difficult situations. We should stand up for good and work together against evil. Instead of bashing others for their difference in belief, or for having faith at all we should measure objectively and support those who make the world a better place. We  should elect people who will stand up for the people, fix things at home and not see the Constitution as an obstruction of their agenda. We should avoid identifying with restrictive labels, because they seem to be used as divisive tools anymore. Most people cannot think for themselves outside of the bias of their “party” and will freely throw around terms that degrade those who oppose them. In order to do this we need to be honest and promote morals, call out when we see detrimental behavior and appreciate good values instead. If we can accomplish this, in time things will turn around and we can succeed as the great country America has the potential to be once again. 
                Like I said, as an artist I tend to focus on positive subject matter with very few exceptions. I am tempted to revisit an idea, or play on a theme I worked on years ago in paintings about current events which were dark and depressing. If I knew for certain that paintings like those would somehow prevent horrible events or bring about some positive change I would get to work on them in a heartbeat. I am also aware that anything politically charged can turn people off and the message most likely will not get through to those who need it most. In the future don’t be surprised to see artwork that is commentary on current events or societal issues that are concerning, but for the most part I hope to have positive contributions in the form of soothing landscapes and portraiture. If you would like to see a painting regarding a specific event or topic, please feel free to contact me and I will work with you. In the meantime please keep in your prayers all those who were involved in past, present, and future tragedies, and do whatever you can individually to make the world a better place.

                For a while now I’ve been considering a change in surroundings. I wasn’t sure where I would end up, when or how. I assumed I’d end up heading north considering I love the mountains and snowy winters. I imagined painting, backpacking and trail running on the Long Trail or Appalachian Trail in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and exploring the New England coast. This August however, I went the opposite direction when my girlfriend was offered a teaching position in eastern North Carolina and I decided to go with her. Having visited the south multiple times (Asheville, OBX, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and the AT from Georgia through PA) I am looking forward to the warm climate that allows me to be outdoors on weekends year-round and exploring  a different environment through my art. 
                 As much as I feel like I need a change I still feel a bit hesitant to leave certain things behind, most of all family. I have 7 nieces and nephews and I know Skype and phone conversations just won’t be an adequate substitute for showing up and playing in person, but it’ll have to do for now. I’m thankful that family is supportive in my move and I’m sure the expression “absence makes the heart grow fonder” will make Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter even more enjoyable for me. I will still work on paintings inspired by the Philadelphia, PA region since I have several works in progress but I will shift focus to find new inspiration along the North Carolina coast as well as offering my pet portrait services everywhere in between. Of course I will also miss the trails I am familiar with in PA but there is something really exciting about finding new places to run. I hope my friends and family are aware that I'll miss them, but find comfort knowing I will be on somewhat of an adventure in the south and I will be back to visit sometime soon. I wish everyone best of luck in everything life decides to throw their way.
                 If you haven't joined my mailing list yet, now may be a good time to sign up since I'll be better about sending out Newsletters to keep people updated. Just click on my Contact page and fill out the form to receive occasional updates.

                Living in Glenside as an artist and a runner has been convenient in recent years. I’ve always been an artist, but discovered running just for running’s sake about 5 years ago in college. I guess I’ve always been an athlete/runner to some extent as well but only in recent years have the two combined and become such a huge part of my life in a way I didn’t expect. 
                I discovered trail running. It has allowed me to experience the outdoors in an exciting way where all my senses are engaged and I draw inspiration from what I see while covering miles and miles of nature. One place I frequently visit in Philadelphia is the Wissahickon park. I’ll usually park at the Valley Green Inn or Northwestern Ave and escape into the woods on side trails, cruising over a variety of terrain and elevation changes occasionally stopping to take in the view. To the right is a painting I just started inspired by a spot I have run through countless times, at the bottom of the hill on Rex Avenue. 
                Often I’ll go for a long run when I’m somewhere I’ve never been, solely for the purpose of collecting images with my digital camera to use as reference photos later in my studio. While in Charleston, SC last week I got out of bed around 5am, grabbed my point and shoot camera and ran about 20 miles. The experience is one that brought me across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, through the French Quarter, a beautiful sunrise at Battery Park, dolphins in the harbor where Ft. Sumter is located, past all types of shops and galleries in the heart of the city, and down historic cobblestone alleyways lined with impressive homes with lanterns by their doorways still burning first thing in the morning. I usually try to visit and hike through some sort of arboretum or plantation when I’m in the south because I love seeing the Spanish moss hanging from the gigantic oak trees, wildlife not typically found in Pennsylvania, and tall grass growing out of the swamp. During my trip to Charleston I collected many images and inspiration for new paintings and drawings which I will upload to this site as I complete them. 
                Please come back and visit my site periodically to see my new work. Feel free to e-mail me at any point and please share my website with anyone you know who may be interested. Thank you for visiting!