My life story is a journey of self-discovery and exploration.
I was born in the early 1960s in Seattle, Washington, amidst majestic trees and the soothing sound of rain. Growing up on the East side of Bellevue, in the picturesque Surrey Downs neighborhood, I was raised as a Quaker at the East Side Friends meeting. This upbringing instilled in me a meditative and conscious awareness, deepening my appreciation for life’s beauty. The East Side Friends meeting provided a supportive and inclusive environment for a group of very liberal individuals.
One of my closest friends was two years older and had a father who was a renowned cancer scientist. Together, we embarked on an intense and imaginative journey, creating elaborate worlds filled with soldiers, monsters, and military vehicles. My friend’s infectious focus and reclusive nature profoundly influenced my artistic process, inspiring me to delve deeper into my creative expression.
At the tender age of 13, I embarked on a transformative intellectual journey. Through reading the Bible, The Hobbit, and other captivating texts, I became a skeptic of the notion of Masters and Lords, challenging the dominant narratives prevalent in American society. This intellectual awakening profoundly impacted my perspective on life and my artistic endeavors.
My middle years were marked by significant challenges. I was a unique individual, possessing strength and power but struggling to thrive in group settings. My dreamy nature and desire to create my own world set me apart from others. At the age of 15, I discovered TM meditation, introduced to me by my friend’s family. This discovery resonated with my artistic inclinations and my strong imagination.
I embarked on a new adventure, relocating to Juanita, Washington. My days were filled with exhilarating motorcycle rides and treehouse construction amidst the majestic Madrone trees. One particularly daring feat involved constructing a ramp for a jump. I reached incredible speeds, but my lack of caution led me to soar approximately 50 feet before landing just inches away from a concrete wall. This incident marked the fourth of my nine lives.
Upon the passing of my grandmother, I received a generous gift that ignited a new passion within me. I took up scuba diving, immersing myself in the underwater world and experiencing the joy of constructing structures within the watery depths.
Returning to Bellevue High School, I resided with my friend and his family. This new environment provided me with ample opportunities to devote myself to painting and exploring my friend’s extensive record collection.
At the age of 16, my friend and I embarked on a thrilling road trip across California. During this journey, we had a profound and transcendent experience of oneness with the universe at a riverbank under the cover of night. This moment of enlightenment left an indelible mark on my soul and shaped my future endeavors.
I then enrolled at the University of Washington, immersing myself in art classes, particularly focusing on painting, sculpture, and photography. During this time, I had a supportive partner whom I should have married, but I was too young to commit. I also delved into Buddhism and studied Choygum Trunkpa.
I enrolled in the year-long film and video program at the UW and embarked on a journey of creating short films. Every year, I made the pilgrimage to New York City, captivated by its vibrant art scene and the opportunity to connect with my teachers and comrades from different eras.
In New York City, I immersed myself in its vibrant energy, experiencing its power, drive, and both positive and negative aspects. Channeling this energy into my art, I began painting furiously, free from the influence of the internet or the allure of monetization.
During a period of financial hardship, I found myself in need of a job and decided to venture to Alaska for fishing. After an arduous journey marked by multiple breakdowns of our boat, we finally reached the shores of Alaska. On my first day of fishing, I got caught in the gear and was hauled into the sea, plummeting deep into the depths. Miraculously, I survived, marking the fourth of my nine lives.
Despite my financial struggles, I remained in Vancouver, British Columbia, with my long-term girlfriend. Determined to make a change, I decided to pursue a career as a union carpenter. This experience provided me with valuable skills that later influenced my epoxy tower creations.
For nine years, I resided in Belltown, a vibrant neighborhood in downtown Seattle, where I had a small studio in a former speakeasy space. It was there that I created numerous paintings.
My fascination with New York City led me to explore its art scene, visiting hundreds of galleries and twelve museums. I was deeply moved by the works of artists from different periods and felt a profound connection to their creativity.
In 1999, I had the opportunity to exhibit my work at the Northwest Annual, where I met Bill Traver, my first major gallery. He was captivated by my large-scale Black and white “Zones” paintings and invited me to join his gallery.
In 2002, I made the decision to purchase my first home in the Central District of Seattle, a historically Black neighborhood that had become an integral part of my life.
One year ago, I decided to give fishing another try. After a series of epic adventures that ended in failure, fueled by sugar binges and mysterious motivations, we embarked on a journey to Southeast Alaska.
We were towed to a native island for repairs, where we were astounded by the majestic ravens that roamed freely.
Finally, we set out to cast our nets into the water. Tragically, an accident occurred, and I was swept overboard and plunged deep into the ocean. I thought I was dead. But then, I realized that if I could convince myself that I was alive, I must actually be alive. Drawing on my scuba diving experience, I began swimming towards the surface, where I could breathe fresh air and inhale the familiar scent of diesel smoke.
This was my fifth of nine lives.
Excited by my survival, I manually dug out the basement and transformed it into a creative haven. It became the epicenter for a revolutionary art movement.
In the Central District, I established my art career, showcasing my paintings and sculptures worldwide.
Eventually, I sold my previous home and purchased a place in Boulevard Park (Burien, WA), where I still reside today.
I bought the house for its spacious garage, which I spent countless hours transforming into my dream studio. I converted one room into a heated and equipped resin studio, complete with a storeroom above.
I built an open daylight studio (Dusty), with a clear plastic roof that allowed natural light to filter through.
Just as I was nearing the completion of the Dusty studio, I began experiencing double vision and sudden falls. In 2022, I was diagnosed with a life-altering disease, thymus cancer. This diagnosis marked a significant turning point in my career and life.
I underwent a thymectomy to remove a massive tumor, and during the procedure, I had a near-death experience. I found myself in a state of complete nothingness, devoid of light, thought, or feeling.
The only reason I know this to be true, at least regarding the nothingness aspect, is that there exists a margin in the doorway to death. This envelope contains the essence of life as we know it.
When the surgeons resuscitated me, I felt a profound sense of knowing that I was on the brink of permanently entering that realm.
It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. After the Brick Wall reboot, I’m currently working on two new series. The Dream Catcher series consists of meditative and Om mantra paintings that capture a tanka of emotions or pure feelings. Each painting comprises three rings: the background ring layer, or Earth; the inner darker middle ring area, which I call “the filter”; and the center, which I refer to as “utopian can of worms.” The central circle’s inner area is abstract and more closely resembles my deeper, washed paintings. On the other hand, the outer circles serve as a geometric reference to my pointillist paintings from earlier in my artistic journey.
The working title for the next series has already begun to take shape: the Neo Geo series, which will feature architectural-inspired pieces.