Quick Questions
WHAT GOT YOU INTO DOING ART? DID YOU MAKE ART BEFORE FINDING SPRAY PAINT?
When I was in High school I got a Traumatic Brain Injury that left me out of commission for around 8 weeks. When I started being able to retain information again I felt like a different person than before but I couldn’t understand what had changed exactly so I devoted a lot of time during my recovery to finding out who I really am and the first thing that stuck was pottery. From there I went to college for fine studio arts and art history up in Ohio. When I moved down to Florida I saw the murals everywhere and became enamored with them. Especially the idea of working with spray paint. It was something I had never done and for some reason reignited that same spark I felt when I first started doing pottery. After the first time I tried it I’ve painted every day since. I even took a night time trash collection job until I could support myself just so I could get paid to exercise at night and paint all day in the sun.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO PAINTING MURALS?
Derek Donnelly hosting his second “Art Warz” was the straw that broke the camels back. I had spent the previous year in love with finding murals around the city. Watching people live paint that night finally made me feel that I had a strong passion in learning can control. That night I found two sheets of wood in a dumpster at the trash collection job I was working, took them home, and the following day tried spray paint for the first time.
HOW DID YOU START TEACHING?
After I began devoting all my time to the paint gods I realize that learning the small intricacies of can control would be difficult without a mentor. I had people give me pointers here and there but for the most part it was just me and a wall I painted over every morning in my backyard. Once I realized that I had actually learned quite a lot I decided that I wanted to make that process easier for the next generation. I started off hosting small classes and private lessons independently. Normally the people I’m most proud to teach are artists that genuinely want to learn a new skill. They know going into it they won’t be great but I’m able to help them learn at a much faster rate than most people because I’m not also having to teach them how to draw or paint on top of can control. Teaching kids is also a bright spot for me. I love the reminder that eventually there will be another me going for the same goals I hope to achieve. I want there to be a next generation, with an even greater potential, aided by the knowledge I pass down throughout my career.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNGER ARTISTS?
An artist should be consistent and fail often. Push for perfection but don’t chase it. If you can’t do something that other people find easy, then cut your own path towards it.
FAQ
WHAT GOT YOU INTO DOING ART? DID YOU MAKE ART BEFORE FINDING SPRAY PAINT?
When I was in High school I got a Traumatic Brain Injury that left me out of commission for around 8 weeks. When I started being able to retain information again I felt like a different person than before but I couldn’t understand what had changed exactly so I devoted a lot of time during my recovery to finding out who I really am and the first thing that stuck was pottery. From there I went to college for fine studio arts and art history up in Ohio. When I moved down to Florida I saw the murals everywhere and became enamored with them. Especially the idea of working with spray paint. It was something I had never done and for some reason reignited that same spark I felt when I first started doing pottery. After the first time I tried it I’ve painted every day since. I even took a night time trash collection job until I could support myself just so I could get paid to exercise at night and paint all day in the sun.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO PAINTING MURALS?
Derek Donnelly hosting his second “Art Warz” was the straw that broke the camels back. I had spent the previous year in love with finding murals around the city. Watching people live paint that night finally made me feel that I had a strong passion in learning can control. That night I found two sheets of wood in a dumpster at the trash collection job I was working, took them home, and the following day tried spray paint for the first time.
HOW DID YOU START TEACHING?
After I began devoting all my time to the paint gods I realize that learning the small intricacies of can control would be difficult without a mentor. I had people give me pointers here and there but for the most part it was just me and a wall I painted over every morning in my backyard. Once I realized that I had actually learned quite a lot I decided that I wanted to make that process easier for the next generation. I started off hosting small classes and private lessons independently. Normally the people I’m most proud to teach are artists that genuinely want to learn a new skill. They know going into it they won’t be great but I’m able to help them learn at a much faster rate than most people because I’m not also having to teach them how to draw or paint on top of can control. Teaching kids is also a bright spot for me. I love the reminder that eventually there will be another me going for the same goals I hope to achieve. I want there to be a next generation, with an even greater potential, aided by the knowledge I pass down throughout my career.
WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE THE MOST?
Cream caps. CREAM. CAPS. C.R.E.A.M.C.A.P.S!
HOW DO YOU GET AROUND AN ARTIST BLOCK?
I PAINT. People tend to operate in cycles emotionally. Artists are supposed to be relatable, with means the depiction of both positive and negative emotions. So I embrace both bad and good days the best I can. Also music and a solid pair of noise canceling headphones helps.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNGER ARTISTS?
An artist should be consistent and fail often. Push for perfection but don’t chase it. If you can’t do something that other people find easy, then cut your own path towards it.
HOW MANY MURALS HAVE YOU PAINTED?
I have painted countless murals over my years of experience. There was a three year period where I painted a different mural everyday on a private wall behind my studio. In addition I have worked with dozens of business owners and individuals to paint both public and private murals.
WHAT IS YOU GOAL WHEN PAINTING A PUBLIC MURAL?
I try to bring light to the lives of the people who come across my murals. If I can make someone stop and smile, even for just a moment I feel like I’ve accomplished my goal. I hope to make people feel immature, like a child, just briefly. Immaturity is something most adults don’t think they have permission to feel, so I hope to remind them of the joy immaturity can bring.
WHERE HAVE PEOPLE SEEN YOUR WORK?
Secret Walls
Florida State Fair
Vitale Bros overspray camp
Imagine Museum
TPA walls VTB Live paint
The Nash
The Tampa foundation
Stoefs Studios Clothing catalog
Green Bench Brewing
The Factory St. Pete
Coastal Creative
St. Pete Art Battle
Blue Box Digital
Murals Graffitis
Precision Art
Voyage Magazine
Unlimited Video Games
Phoenix Fitness
Bloom house Florist
Populum gallery shows
St Pete art battle 2022/2023
Saint paint arts
Letter Headz
Ink the bay
Rush hours chicken shop
Jax art walls
Phoenix Arts District
Planet Retro Records
The Potion Portal