Having grown up in a very small town remote from theaters, museums, and "culture" at-large, my only connection to what I perceived to be civilization were the things that funneled the "real world" to me: TV, movies, comic books, etc. I grew up on a diet of disposable entertainment, and I guess that's maybe why I'm so drawn to Pop art and pop culture in general. I paint what I know and what I love. The obsessions of my childhood, and indeed my daily life, inspire me! I believe that art should be fun and involve the viewer, and I think it's ridiculous that there is this notion that Art is something to be hung behind a velvet rope and whispered about with oohs and ahhs. One of the most boring things in the world to me is to have to go to galleries, or museums, or other artists' openings. They can be real snoozefests--with everyone standing around sipping wine and talking in hushed tones. Give me loud music, smoke and light effects, some videos in the background....something multisensory to really give an audience something to connect to on more than one level. The greatest thing to me at one of my shows is when someone walks up to me and says about one of my paintings, "that was my favorite tv show when I was a kid," or "I used to love that comic book. He/ she was always my favorite superhero." Then, after a minute or two of discussing the work, the conversation evolves into a friendly, nostalgic chat about shared memories of growing up in our American culture: TV, movies, music, celebrities...At that point, I know I've reached my goal as an artist. I've evoked in the viewer a pleasant memory from his or her past, and for a brief moment we've connected on an almost spiritual level. As we stand, and smile, and laugh, and reminisce about why GILLIGAN'S ISLAND was the greatest show in the history of television, or why it is that WONDER WOMAN kicks ass, I well up inside with a sense of accomplishment and serenity. For that one instant, however quickly it passes, I've brought to the viewer that same sense of excitement, wonder, and love of my subjects that caused me to put brush to canvas in the first place. We are instantly bonded because of the work. As an artist, I couldn't ask for anything more fulfilling. It's the greatest feeling in the world!