year here. Because I got my associates degree
in high school, I went straight into my core
classes here at UCF. I really missed math and
I wanted the ease and the --- what word am I
looking for? The... knowing you’re going to be
successful. The... what’s the word I’m looking
for?
I’m not sure.
I just wanted to know that it was going to be
successful. You know? If I had switched, well
I switched into wildlife biology, but then that
seemed unrealistic with what I wanted to
do with my life. So I devoted myself to this
and eventually I did the painting Detracting
Light and that really started everything. And
it kinda got me on this… got this ball rolling.
So physics? And biological sciences. Is that
what you said?
Wildlife Biology
Wildlife biology. That’s obviously... you’re
obviously passionate about that. What made
you decide that art was more... was more of
your career path then the sciences?
I think I just felt like I had to do it. It was
something that I knew I was good at, and if I
really knew that I could do it, it would work
out. And I… like I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else.
So I just decided to incorporate the different subjects I
like into my art.
You recently had your work at the Henao Contemporary
Center, was that your first show outside of UCF?
Yes. I’ve had shows in UCF and related to UCF. But that
was my first. I’m going to get an MFA eventually. Probably
Nebula, acrylic, chalk, & pencil on canvas
Variable Space 2, acrylic on canvas
take one or two years off. I’m going to get an MFA and I’m
thinking about an MBA because I want to start a teaching
studio one day.
So what are your goals the next couple of years since
you’re going to take a break?
Just keep showing, and try to live off of my art, and build
a really good body of work to apply to an MFA program.
Because I really want to get paid to get my masters... or at
least not have to pay.
There’s some good programs in Illinois. Are you trying
to stay in Florida for your MFA?
I kinda want to go to RISD. Which I probably won’t get a
full ride to RISD.
We can hope, huh?
Yeah, but I’ll probably get a scholarship to go there. And
I think I have a New England influence on my aesthetic.
In what way?
I think my subject matter or my houses are very Florida,
but I think aesthetically I belong in the Northeast. Instead
of being around all this Miami art, which I appreciate,
that’s just not what I do.
Of course. So how does that make you feel? Knowing
you’re new in the game?
I think everyone has to go through that. And I just have
to prove it – to any potential investors – that I’m going to
stick with it. I devoted my whole life to this, so hopefully,
other people will realize that. You only need a couple people to support you before it starts working out.
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