GRAB MAGAZINE [Italy]
Interview & Artwork Feature
March 2009 - Issue 7 - p. 9-13
View Issue On-Line

Where are you from? Where you are currently based?

I was born and raised in Detroit, MI and now reside in Illinois.

Three terms depicting you in the past, three telling about you right now, and three you hope will be representing your life in the future.

Past: Awkward, Strong, Geeky
Present: Determined, Explorative, Compassionate
Future: Accomplished, Cultured, Indescribable

Photographer, musician, writer, designer and actress. From which of those arts did your career start? And how did the other join in?

That’s a really hard question to tackle. I started writing music in 2000 and formed the solo music project AfterChain. When I started writing lyrics for a particular song, I would sift through my 200-page, hand-written poetry book for inspiration. Almost always something would fit, and the lyrics written would become a derivative of a past work from my book. At the time I was also involved in 2 non-singing/acting roles in “Le Contes De Hoffmann” (The Tales of Hoffmann) at the Detroit Opera Theatre. Being an integral part of that production was one of the most fulfilling and fun experiences in my life, and if I had not moved to Illinois shortly after I would have partaken in more of their productions. When AfterChain grew interest among the underground music community, a website and other graphic based items became essential to keep people connected. Taking on the challenge to not outsource my needs, I fell madly in love with graphic and web design as a whole and got the job done in the interim.

In 2003 I took my adoration and skills as a graphic designer, coupled it with previous artistic abilities and my love for photography which both had laid dormant for years, and brought a whole new spin to my life as I mixed them together to form the art in which I am most known for today. Hunkering down, becoming obsessed and getting lost for days, I soon found art to be as or even more cathartic than music at that time in my life. Short stories and poems were written to privately accompany the work and instead of referencing my poetry book for inspiration I was finally adding new work.

The newer and older writings will be a published as a book called “Obvious Remote Chaos” in 2009, which will be illustrated by my black and white photography. Although many of the writings are inspired from my art/music and vice versa, not many will show a direct correlation between the two. I am notorious for taking one art form and mixing it with another to find a whole new harmony of creativity, so it is kind of hard to know where it really all started.

How much of your nature can be discovered through your works?

When people meet me, I have been told I am not as how they would have perceived me from just viewing my art. I am not sure what their perceptions are since everyone looks at people and things completely different. I do believe an artist’s character/nature can shine through when you look at any work of art, but it is not something that can be found superficially, one must study the works at a whole new level. Truly it’s hard to explain, but that’s how I view it. On the whole I believe my nature can be discovered, but the person who is in observation of my work must take a journey that is beyond superficial, obvious and the aesthetics to find out, and then again I still can be a total enigma.

Among your many projects, do you have one you would like to tell us about?

The Silver Era Tarot project is hot on the platter right now, and it’s in the works of being published. The Silver Era Deck is a fully functional deck based on the original Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) interpretation and is complied of 78 cards (22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana in four suits; Wands, Swords, Pentacles and Cups) and a companion book written by author Russell Moon. The deck is monochrome with a bit of color and super classy. To complete this deck I hard to live through, learn and restage the central theme of each card with my own creative vision. The symbolism itself is the most important part of the deck, and to make a deck workable requires a lot of precision. It is an amazing project, and I am pleased to be able to share it. Also, for those that are not familiar with tarot decks they should research the ideology around them, they are not as taboo or negative which is the stigma they sadly get, they are ultimately fascinating and very positive. You can learn more about my deck, the Silver Era Tarot deck here: www.silvereratarot.com

One of the best experiences ever is being overwhelmed by emotions in front of an artwork, no matter by whom... what is the work of art that definitely left a mark upon you?

At SWIC, the local community college where I live, invited the local crisis center and myself to do a talk about art, abuse and healing. After my presentation I sat in the back, and was overwhelmed by what I saw. The crisis center used an overhead projector to share a handful of images drawn by children of abusive and non-favorable home environments. Coming from an abusive home, looking at what these kids had drawn took my breath away and I was ever changed.

What is, in your opinion, the golden rule a young artist should never forget in his career? And is there a golden rule to life as well?

The golden rule I follow myself, but may not work for others is the mere fact that there is no hard and fast rules in art, or life. When on this journey in art and life I personally find taking each experience, learning from it, working on goals and not watching the world pass me by, and understanding that everyone around me is fighting some battle in this life it brings me into perspective and works best for me.

Is there a recurring number in your life?

The number two has always occurred in one way or another, and because of this it has graduated as my favorite number. It’s a perfect number.

Plans for the future? Is there a particular dream you want to make happen? A particular exhibition, working with someone in particular…?

Owning my own gallery is a dream I would like to capture when I am done exhibiting all over the place, and ready to settle down. Being a gallery owner would give me an opportunity to be an outlet for artists, and possibly help launch careers and boost confidence. That would be totally amazing!

Before we part... what would you suggest to a visitor to fully and deeply “live” one of your exhibits?

Seeing my work in person takes on a whole new appreciation is what I have been told. My work on a large scale has much more impact. The only other thing I would say for someone to experience my work to the fullest it to take what they need and want for themselves. Go in, view and try to learn or grow. I think we should do that from all art we observe.