How did your time as a division-1-college student-athlete play a role in your growth as an artist?
Coming from a blue-collar background in Detroit, Michigan it was no secret and expressed to me on more than one occasion that “you can’t make no money being an artist!” Arriving at Bowling Green State University on a football scholarship, I thought I wanted to be a professional football player, but I realized I wasn’t getting any taller. So, I channeled much of my energy into painting, drawing, and sculpting classes. I took the classes I wanted, not realizing art supplies were not considered books so the materials I needed for my classes became a problem. These supplies were not provided under my scholarship. I managed through donations from coaches and classmates.
As a division-1-student athlete juggling time at the stadium, classes, art studio and plenty of partying was special. I just simply couldn't return home a failure, so I worked hard at them all to prove that I did belong. They were some great times and not so great because my family’s financial position was tenuous, at best. I loved the literature and history classes most of all. I don’t know if some of my professors felt the same about my presence. Arriving at Bowling Green with some knowledge of artists and literature presented a challenge for some the midwestern instructors. I hung in there and completed my undergraduate studies and was lucky enough to be asked to attend grad school.
Titled - Street Brawl