Connect What is your favorite type of art to create?

I almost exclusively work in oils, early in my career I saw paintings and effects in oil that really challenged me and set forth a path in my creative vision. I have been painting for about 10 years now on a weekly basis and recently was accepted into the Oil Painters of America, and hoping my approach to modern/surealism still life and resonate with people looking for a "classical" feel, in a modern. interpretation.

Where do you find inspiration?

Nature! I grew up in the out doors, and spent much of my childhood camping or just playing outside. I am often looking at how things interacts, shadows work with light to create shapes and texture, and just new found beauty in the natural world. I often see things almost as if for the first time, the way a bee may hover above a flower, or the way that flower flutters in the wind, then trying to capture that "moment" in my approach to painting.

What would you do with $25,000?

I currently own and operate a high end tattoo studio and art gallery in Austin Tx. I put together very large group exhibitions and the largest in tattooing; trying to keep to my Austinite roots of "keep Austin weird" while being a local business that supports artists; when we need it more than ever. As anyone in a similar place may know, this is a project of passion and I often walk away with money, vs my desire too be a light in my community. The 25k would help continue my creative missions.