
The visual of this etching is one of my sketchbook collages, put together from different Italian magazines. I enjoyed etching’s fusion of detailed calculation and science with unpredictable experimetation. It’s like my life.
2001
Zinc plate etching
NFS

I was listening to Duran Duran a lot in 1999. I was also not paying much attention in science class that year. This painting came from a science class doodle while I had Duran Duran’s ‘Skin Trade’ in my head. “Would someone please explain / the reason for this strange behaviour / in exploitation’s name? / You must be working for the skin trade.”
1999
Acrylic on illustration board, 24″ x 36″
Collection of Joel Sweeney

I did this painting coming out of a bad relationship. The title is lyrics from a Morissey song: ‘I’m so glad to grow older / to move away from those awful times / I’m in love for the first time / and I don’t feel bad.’
2000
Acrylic on canvas, 20″ x 28″
$250

What I liked about this series was that the women in the images were old, not that attractive, but still dressed nicely and wearing makeup. Yet instead of being contrived anti-models (who are fantasy) these women were very real, gritty. Something rarely seen in advertising.
2003
Acrylic on canvas, 36″ x 48″
$400

The photo was taken from a Legacy ad against smoking. Obviously they were ill or suffering some kind of smoking-related loss. But without the anti-smoking message, the women’s faces looked like they were experiencing extreme pain or extreme pleasure in this sexual manner. I decided to combine 2 expressive yet ambiguous facial expressions for each painting.
2002
Acrylic on canvas, 36″ x 48″
$400

I had saved these small magazine clippings for about three years, blew them up on a color copier, and also copied my hand on the glass. This piece shows personal themes of media, gender and food, all tied up with red thread.
2004
Mixed media on canvas, 18″ x 24″
$150