Biography
When I was in grade school a really bad idea took root in my psyche: the only way I could have a career in art was if I attended the High School for Art and Design. I applied in eighth grade and was not accepted. I re-applied in ninth grade, but never heard back from the school and abandoned the notion. I eventually graduated from Sacred Heart High School and then went on to earn a degree in Political Science, with a minor in English, at John Jay College. Since then, I have had wonderful professional experiences at Covenant House, Cornell University, and Bronx Community College, where I have been working since 2003. After my father passed away, I was clearing out his workplace locker at the Post Office and surprisingly came across my second application for Art and Design. He had not mailed it. I never found out why he didn’t mail it, but realized that I had given up on my ambition too easily. I enrolled at Lehman College and earned a second B.A. in Studio Art. Since Lehman College, I have illustrated a children’s book, have had my artwork featured in an Emmy-nominated documentary on domestic violence, self-published four books on photography and completed a Master's degree in Museum Studies at the CUNY School of Professional Studies.
Artist Statement
I fully embrace Plato's idea of a world in flux as detailed in Timaeus. I was born in the continuously changing City of New York to parents who simultaneously embraced traditional and progressive ideals. Needless to say, the messages were mixed. As an artist, I try to reflect these mixed messages in my work. Depicting the figure, I take inspiration from Degas and Picasso. Painting still life, I look to Cezanne. I typically paint subjects inspired by Spanish-speaking cultures. Many have referred to my painting as primitive or neo-impressionism---I agree with that! I love people watching and street photography is a large part of my life. I take inspiration from Diane Arbus, Alfred Stieglitz and, more recently, Vivian Maier. While I learned on film, I love to experiment with Photoshop often employing color splash techniques. Regarding illustration, I am inspired by the likes of Klaus Voormann, Saul Bass, comic books and The New Yorker. I am still looking for my voice as an illustrator, but am confident I will find it. As Picasso once said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”
