Q: Many artists struggle with balancing minimalism and expression. How did you develop your minimalist style, and what role does simplicity play in conveying your artistic message?

A: Art is what you choose it to be, but it demands a choice and a sense of purpose. For me, everything begins with the mini-paintings. They are the foundation—an experience that gives rise to the artist's proofs, and ultimately, to the larger works that emerge from them.

I can’t say I developed this process; rather, it feels as though it developed me. Over the years, I’ve painted thousands of these mini-paintings, each one a step in an evolving story. Looking back at my earliest pieces, the transformation is undeniable—they are worlds apart from what I create today.

As I navigated the tension between minimalism and expression, I was forced to laugh through the storm, say bravo, and embrace the struggle. I let the struggle shape me. Of course, I did push back when necessary, but I always remembered, that art itself is a guide. I didn’t obsess over achieving balance; I obsessed with creating with intent, through this I trusted that the balance would follow.

Q: Are there particular artists, art movements, or experiences that have influenced your work over the years? How have these inspirations shaped your approach to art?

A: My art is an extension of myself—an unfiltered expression of the life I’ve lived and the emotions I’ve absorbed.

I’m not striving to convey a single message; instead, my work reflects the myriad experiences that have shaped me. Simple moments, like sharing a slice of pizza with a friend on the way to Central Park, or profound ones, like the ache of heartbreak or the raw humanity in Repin’s masterpieces, all leave their mark. I embrace it all, choosing to feel deeply and question very little about what I see. When I create, I let those emotions flow freely, as if art’s hand squeezes the sponge of my soul onto the canvas.

Q: Minimalism requires a lot of restraint. How do you decide when a piece is finished, and what criteria do you use to ensure your work is impactful without being overly complex?

A: Minimalism does demand discipline and restraint, but reaching that point often requires embracing mistakes along the way, in my case many many mistakes.

For me, the journey to minimalism was paved by creating thousands of color studies. Each experiment brought clarity, revealing that restraint wasn’t a limitation—it was a necessity.

I’ve found that the best way to cultivate this discipline is by establishing rules.

Rule number one: Follow the rules and accept the outcome.

Take my mini-paintings, for instance. Today, I limit myself to just three strokes with a palette knife. It wasn’t always this way. Early on, I allowed for more experimentation, but as I reflected on a vast body of work, patterns began to emerge. I craved consistency, and the rules I developed became the framework that brought coherence to my art.

Q: You make your art more accessible by offering mini paintings and artist proofs. What inspired this approach?  How do you see this initiative shaping the relationship between art and accessibility?

A: My artist journey started with the Free Art Project. As a child I remember wanting to dive into the world of art, but I felt as is it wasn’t accessible, the art I was attracted to felt out of reach.

I wanted my art to feel accessible, and whats more accessible than free? I knew that if I started there it would shape something, I just had no idea that something would become this big.

I now encourage all artists to join me, very few take me up on my offer, but those who have are growing, some even quicker than myself.

At the core I understood that people want to be a part of something, I knew this because I myself wanted to experience the collective. I love people, offering a gift to the masses, something I created came naturally to me. Its what keeps me going, make art accessible means I’m constantly curious, who’s going to see/receive my art next?

Q: Reflecting on your art journey so far, what do you feel has been the most effective strategy or approach in gaining recognition and connecting with your audience?

A: Connecting with strangers online over shared experiences, hobbies, challenges, and life moments has created a profound sense of connectivity and camaraderie. The bond formed through these shared connections has been unexpectedly deep and meaningful, it is truly much deeper than I ever expected.

To be effective is to be genuine, I have made many life long friendships though my audience. I have met people who have changed me, and continue to change me. Its been a beautiful experience.

Q: If you could share one piece of advice with younger artists about building a sustainable art practice, what would it be? How has this philosophy helped you throughout your career?

A: Fall in love. Fall in love with what you do. If you’re not doing it out of love, whether it’s your passion, work, or art, it won’t be sustainable.

I’ve overcame great challenges in all aspects of life because I truly loved something. Love is the life energy that keeps you going, the magic that flows within us all.

The sooner you fall in love with creating, the sooner your art practice will flourish. People will sense it and connect with it, and want to be apart of it.