I suppose this will be counted as some kind of an introduction to me! In that case, welcome, Folks!

I can’t say too much about my origin, in detail, I mean. Mother’s family members were cobblers from England, and my Father’s family raised chickens in France. Very few of them came to North America during the revolutionary period in the US. Most of the others came through to New York about a hundred years ago. 

On a more current perspective I’m at Ringling because of how my great Aunt and Uncle have influenced me. They’re artists out in the middle of nowhere, Arkansas. The great Ozark mountains are where they chose to settle down. It’s a beautiful, natural place...until you roll in the grass. Ticks everywhere. 

But, my aunt and uncle's family is my biggest influence. They are all potters. Their son Johnny I call uncle since, he is a second cousin and is quite a bit older than me. I consider this family the closest to me because they inspire me. Johnny likes to sculpt but has a knack for silly little comics and things. He’s always inside his own head and I take a lot of my own habits from his visits to town when I was little. 

I’m happiest when I get to be ridiculous and play with my ideas. But back on the sculpting matter, I feel most satisfied when I can see my work in a functional space, as opposed to a flat surface, a drawing, or something like that. It was more of a recent realization, but as I think about it, Johnny encouraged me to discover that about myself. I’m sort of following in his footsteps by sculpting, but in my own way. He’ll stick with his traditional clay, and I’ll continue learning digital programs.

By realizing that I wanted to do 3D work I did find out a bit more of my own ideology (in some backwards way, I guess). I’ve always had trouble describing it because it tends to change with my mood and I’d rather be fluid with my opinions and thoughts than upset others. I always try my best to see all sides of a situation and in that regard think that ideology is very individualistic. As long as no one is hurting me, why should I care how they feel about one thing, or another? 

Then again I like this in-between ground where things contradict each other and opposites exists within themselves. I love paradoxes. I have a great need to experience depth and duality. I want things to feel real and to be explained to me, why, or how they exist. That is why I am seeking the 3 dimensional format at this point in time. I’m not sure how anything I make, or say will be interpreted but to be honest, the frustration in that is also the fun.