Art club will work on the work for CMA

After much indecision, I hope to have my Art Club begin the new year with Wood Cuts, culminating in a big body of work focusing on a few large prints with multiples to sell at the main opening. Also, maybe one or two large ones with a steam roller press. Aiming high.

The big project.

My high school seniors will be the first high school group showing in the Columbus Museum of Art's new innovation, creativity and education space. I decided I would use this blog space to document my creative/preparation process for leading my students toward this big show. The great news is that this Senior Class is extraordinary. An excellent year to do this project.

I have already landed on a tentative idea for the project and key artists. I want my students to create orignal, huge(4'x4') wood cut prints. Our key artists will be the Cannonball Press Collective from New York City. I hope I will be able to get some original prints to use as examples for my students.

I want my students to focus on storytelling or a narrative about their life or life experience. The theme or big idea will be some of my focus on this blog.... How will I decide which path to lead them down? The media, process, and techniques are easy. The thoughtful work and content of what they express authentically is the toughest road.

Cannonball Press

Columbus Museum of Art

WoodCut Prints

4 foot by 8 foot Woodcut prints by Michael Houston and Martin Mazorra of Cannonball Press.

Birdhouse and Bathouse.

A bathouse that I did for my friend Corey. The painting is called Batboy loves Batman. Acrylic and gold leaf on wood.












A bird house I did for my good friend Jon. Acrylic and latex on wood.

T shirt image

An image for a t-shirt i want to make for an upcoming studio showcase.

Birth of El Destructo.

Imagery from a childhood can and should inspire us as artists. I like to think of life as if it is a shirt. Get over the petty cry baby stuff and dig into your threads and stitches. The image on the left is from the cover of my childhood catholic CCD book cover. The image on the right is a drawing Joey Monsoon made for a tattoo for my shoulder. No bible thumping or searching for the "big Save." Just good and proper shirt sewing.

Raku sculpture on display at Otterbein's big gallery in roush hall.

I believe matisse said "the first thing one must do to become an artist is cut out his tongue." With that said i wish to convey how hard it is to get the essence of the visual into the written word. I have slaved over an artist statement that is all inclusive, that encompasses me. But it always ends up being too much, too wordy, unacceptable and all over the place. Much like my daily life. Lack of focus, except when it comes to art making. You'd think that at forty I would have this manure all figured out. I don't.
Attached is the latest Hunk O Hubris:
What moments define your life? My work is driven by defining moments in life. Big and small defining moments. Whether a life altering accident, dilemma, absurd experience, or taking part in a conversation in which something prophetic, funny, wise, or incredibly mean is uttered. These moments will not leave my psyche or speak directly to my inner voice, remain imprinted in my thoughts, in need of escape. My defining moments connect to your defining moments. In a society where we are so caught up in our microcosmic worlds, I hope my work encourages individuals to consider their place in the bigger picture. Small things that we say and do can and will affect others. You, me, us, them. We are all so much more alike than we are different.


I have developed my painting style over 15 years of experimentation and practice. Largely, I use acrylic paint and common household latex paint. Each painting starts with a black or dark canvas/panel. I attempt to make no mistakes in the initial dry brush application of lighter hues over the darkness. I utilize elements of realism and cartooning with text in hopes of creating work that is recognizable or nostalgic. Much of the text comes from snippets of songs, conversations, or popular culture references. The figures I paint arise from texture, mistakes, and sketches. No two are alike, but most have common characteristics. Sly toothy grins and sad eyes.
I commonly use flying figures in my work. The flight imagery stems from a hang glider flying accident I had in my hometown, North Baltimore, Ohio. That one accident is perhaps the greatest defining moment in my life. At nineteen years old, I discovered that I wasn’t invincible and realized that perhaps I couldn’t fly. That moment, twenty years ago, haunts me today.

new workf

This is new work for the cnote show.