Photo: Julie K. Gray
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Bio
In the 1970s and 80s I was a quiet, shy mama's boy living in various parts of southern Maine, wandering through the woods and exploring my surroundings. I studied sculpture in the 90s at University of Southern Maine in Portland and moved to New York City soon after. Because of space constraints in a crowded city, painting became more practical for my art practice. Looking around my house now, my sculptural roots are showing. I’ve lived in Maine most of my life, but the 4-year tour in New York City at the turn of the millennium heavily influenced my work. There I studied the human form at the Swedish Institute of Massage, explored the great towers and tiny details of NYC architecture and life, and was exposed to and interacted with a great diversity of artists from Picasso to my peers making photography, paintings and music. Working with Richard Lethem as a studio assistant for over 25 years has influenced my work in countless ways. His consistency and dedication to making visual art has had a profound impact on my own development and persistence. I also make music, often with my partner, Chrystina Gastelum, and continue to practice massage in our joint business, Hark House. I love long walks on the beach and in the woods with my dog, Max. statement
All I can do is influence what I can and release what I cannot—whether that’s the paint at the end of my brush or the people around me. In daily life, we compromise, filter and otherwise work to fit in. In the studio, I am released from that. That is where the unexpected is allowed to happen. My paintings ask the viewer to work a little. I aim to make work that has visual impact that can be appreciated for its color and composition. In the topical work, the visual impact is at least as important as the message. Like a poem, the concepts are abstracted while stimulating creative engagement, leaving the viewer to contribute their own meaning to the image. Selected Group shows
George Marshall Store Gallery Who What Where | Nov 2021 - Jan 2022 | York, ME (Press) Engine Rumpus | Feb/Mar 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 | Biddeford, ME University of Southern Maine Drawn to Abstraction | 2008 | Portland, ME Filament Gallery Four Painters and a Sculptor | Sept 2008 | Portland, ME Drift Gallery Tangles & Snarls | 2010 | Kittery, ME Franklin Street Art Space Other Things | 2006 | Biddeford, ME University of Southern Maine Six | Aug 1996 | Gorham, ME University of Southern Maine Art 4*1*2 | May 1995 | Gorham, ME Selected Solo Shows
Engine Political Prints | Apr 2017 & Paintings | 2016 | Biddeford, ME Aucocisco Paintings | July 2002 | Portland, ME Danforth Gallery Sculpture/Drawing | Mar-Apr 1995 | Portland, ME Education
University of Southern Maine Sculpture & Drawing | 1997 Swedish Institute of Massage Therapeutic Massage | 2002 Press
Maine Arts Journal Richard Brown Lethem and Sean Hasey Dialog 2021 | Spring 2021 Maine Magazine The Arts Nonprofit Bolstering Downtown Biddeford | Hilary Irons | May 2021 Portland Press Herald Engine's Rumpus is Inclusive Fun | Daniel Kany | Mar 2019 Free Press Drawn to Abstraction | Mary Jones | Apr 2008 Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Telegram Freedom Fits | Bob Keyes | Apr 2003 Casco Bay Weekly Openings | Liz Gold | May 2003 thanks
Reproduction Photography: Jay York Photography, Julie K. Gray Photography, and Northeast Photographic Web Design: Chrystina Gastelum |