Andrew, the Artist

Who am I as an artist? This is a question that has been asked of me several times, but I have never been able to clearly explain. As an artist I am not limited to the constraints of one media, I am a theatrical designer, photographer, ceramics artist, singer, painter and interior designer. I constantly move from one media to another, always looking for another way to express my creativity. I take aspects from every medium and bond them together through my life experiences. I was raised by a family of artists, an actress/photographer for a mother and a singer for a father both who became elementary school teachers. They took me to the Art Institute of Chicago to the Louvre in Paris. They took me to Broadway shows, shows in the West End in London and encouraged me to act in plays at GILT (Grand Island Little Theatre) all the way through high school. They took me to movies and encouraged me to express myself in what ever felt the most natural to me. They were never tried to constrain my style of expression and nurtured my creative side when ever that was possible. Though the most influential experiences came on our trips to Disneyland, either as a family or with all of my cousins. (Picture from first trip to Disneyland in front of the Haunted Mansion) This was a place where everyone wanted nothing less from you then to use your imagination. As Walt Disney said, "To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past...and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America...with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." To me this is the statement that drives me as an artist, as a child I grew up looking at history and things that changed the world and Disneyland was where I started to look towards the promises of my future, in many senses it was my first major outlet of my creative side. Though I never made any art there, the things that we imagine as a child, flying into space meeting your hero (Mickey Mouse) and riding a run away mine cart were there and I was able to experience them for the first time, understanding what your imagination can do. My life past, present and future is what guides me. As an artist I want to represent and express just that, my life experiences, because they define me. Family and friends motivate constantly to take my creativity and ideas to the next level, never stopping to think or worry about obstacles, just helping me to overcome them. That is why Disneyland continues to inspire me even now, the creativity there keeps doing the same, continually reaching new heights. Simply put, I am an artist of personal history, which not only drives me but continues to challenge my creativity.