I think growing up out here influenced a lot of the colors and landscapes in my work. A lot of brightness and vivid colors. Also a clashing mixture of nature, and scenery vs concrete, advertisements, and clutter.

I studied some of the Renaissance art in art school and was always drawn to the compositions and lighting during that period. One of my favorite artists that had a huge impact on my work was Giuseppe Arcimboldo. I recently got to see his set of four paintings "The Four Seasons" at The Louvre which was great to see in person.

I feel like growing up in the US it's pretty hard to escape pop culture to some degree. The form of pop culture that sneaks into my work tends to be in the form of 2d/graphic elements. I was drawn to animation from an early age, and it still holds a special place in my early influences.

As of late, I'm finding myself more interested in ephemeral/undervalued references. References that are a little less popular but feel familiar, as well as creating my own.

Items that are a little less recognizable to a mass amount of people, but still produce a familiar feeling. Some things that have had a short-lived purpose and/or won't be seen by a larger audience. Anything from character trademarks, street signs, packaging, book illustrations, stickers, etc. Items that are usually overlooked.

In art school, my major heavily focused on learning how to paint/draw the human figure. As I progressed, I wanted to mess around and explore distorting the anatomy/figure and have some fun with it. I explored that for a little bit and then decided to incorporate objects/elements into figures and it eventually evolved into my work today.

I think in my earlier work that would be a fair statement, but my recent work within the past few years I would disagree. I actually want to celebrate and find the beauty in the massive overload of information, not the shame.

I've described it in another interview as "Pushing and pulling from drab reality until it achieves a psychedelic euphoria". Finding a balance of unlikely elements from the low and high aspects of our culture and giving them an equal playing field. You might see a crystal skull next to a raspberry, or an ancient sculpture bust next to a nail and screenshot of a forgotten horror movie. Everything is equal and just as important as the other.

It's funny you mention this, because I feel like I haven't taken as much advantage as should regarding hidden easter eggs in my work. It is actually something I really want to incorporate in future work, and some I'm working on right now!

That being said, there are some hidden faces, nicknames of friends, and other little things hidden in some works. I'm just not telling which ones! Haha.

I start out with a lot of loose sketches involving compositions, its actually one of my favorite parts. From there I do a lot of digital prepping with a variety of software and eventually begin painting. Almost every time, mid painting, I tend to change the painting gradually. I add more elements, take some away, or sometimes change backgrounds entirely. I have to get it to the point where it looks right to me. I also listen to a lot of the old Howard Stern Show while I paint. Almost always on during some point of painting.

I think there will always be something special about creating analog artwork. Especially the impact it has on the viewer in-person. So yes, it's important to me.

As of now, it's not just certain things that inspire me, but more of finding the right balance and energy in the work. Continuing to evolve and push the work to a new level, and bring out more of my personality with each piece.

Stop comparing yourself to others. Focus on the achievements you've made along the way. Open yourself to art that you don't usually look at. Make art that you're excited about, not what you think other people will like/buy. Live life to gain more inspiration. Have fun.