ABOUT

BORN: 1949, New York

Lives and works in Stillwater, New York, with Anni, Sid and Gilly

U.S. Armed Forces (unarmed medic): 1968-1972

EDUCATION: Schenectady Community College, Empire State College

JOBS: Bus Driver, Ironworker, Oil Refinery Worker, Captain of Oil Barge, NY Harbor, 1990- started selling work on the street.

ARTIST STATEMENT: As an artist I have to trust myself to complete an idea with the materials I have chosen. I use materials that are most readily available to me, and try to not allow convention or repetition to sneak into my work. Humor is always a good starting point. Most of my work is narrative, so getting a laugh is a good way to start the conversation. Oscar Wilde said, "If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, or they'll kill you."

Are you self-taught? Yes. I went to college, but didn't study art.

What is your medium? I use scavenged materials mostly. Driftwood, rocks, plastic, and metal. I think an artist should use the stuff most readily available to him or her. Dumpster diving is an art all by itself. Tip: make sure there's enough junk inside the dumpster before you jump in. You'll need to pile it up to use as a ladder to get out. Also, make sure nobody else is in the dumpster. You could land on top of them.

Where do you get your ideas? I get asked this question a lot. The antenna is up and the engine is always running.

Where do you live? I live in the town of Stillwater, New York which is on the Hudson River, located 25 miles north of Albany. It's not the middle of nowhere, but it's close.

Do you have any pets? Yes. 2 dogs. Sid and Gilly. They are small and don't know it.

My work has been shown in many galleries and museums and my found object drawings have been published in JUXTAPOZ Magazine, Booklyn Rail and many other dangerous and scary publications.