These self-portraits are the studies for my “American Worker” series. For the last 5 years my work’s theme revolved around “Anytowne, U.S.A.”, which used the strip malls, non-objective marks, calendars, and other images from my daily life as a catalyst for my image making. The focus for this new series is capturing the soul of the United States of America that resides within the individual American worker. This direction moves me towards more figurative imagery and drawing directly from life. To do this, I start by strengthening my observational skills and portraiture hence, the self –portraits studies.

These boxes are drawn from direct observation and appear photographic in quality. The marks--surrounding and often on the boxes--are a collection of personal iconography, drips, and splatters which rest on the page’s surface. The boxes represent the “illusion,” in fooling one’s eye into the perception of depth and volume. The drips and splatters represent the “real,” resting on the surface of the page, they are what they are.