Growing up in Maine in the 1970s, we were always roaming around the woods somewhere, even though I didn't live in particularly rural areas. Observing the cycle and layers of life and decay in the forest all those years must have been influential. The layers of old and new, death and new life, often show up in my paintings of more urban-feeling scenes.

According to the records, I studied sculpture in the 1990s at the University of Southern Maine, but that takes a lot of space, so my painting practice is what gets the most attention. Although, if you look around my house, you'll see my sculptural roots are showing. While I’ve lived in Maine most of my life, I took a 4-year tour in New York City in the late 1990s that heavily influenced my work. From the study of the human form at the Swedish Institute of Massage, to the rich and diverse exposure to art from Picasso to my peers making photography, music and more, I absorbed a lot of information. Working with Richard Lethem as a studio assistant for over 20 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've been a drummer, guitarist, lead vocalist, songwriter and improviser for as long or longer than I've been painting. Lately, my partner, Chrystina Gastelum, and I have been performing as PFK Era in sporadic small venues in and around our home. We are both massage therapists offering therapeutic massage in our home under the business name Hark House.