Tell us more about some of your past projects?

In addition to my ongoing portrait orders, I like to do Murals and restoration projects. I did a Muhammed Ali/Mike Tyson Mural for the non-profit Soul City Boxing and Wrestling Gym, A mural for fallen Officer Anthony Dia last year and I did a restoration for a Church ceiling.  


What current projects are you working on?

The biggest project is being part of the ‘Glass City River Wall Mural’ crew. It’s been an awesome responsibility and source of pride knowing that we’re creating for our city what will be the Nation’s biggest mural once completed. 


What advantages does being in Northwest Ohio/Toledo offer your efforts?

Honestly the biggest advantage is allowing the elements of the seasons here dictate what I’m going to focus on. Doing murals, portraits and tattoos, I can adjust to which outlets I’m going to lean into based on what the weather is doing. I’m not going to be doing murals in the snow, so during those months, I can focus more on my portraits, inside murals and tattoos. Constantly rotating my craft in that way keeps it exciting, challenging and fun. 

Tell us about one of your greatest successes.

Following my passions & allowing it to flow into my art.

Tell us who or what gives you inspiration?

My biggest inspiration comes from the peace of mind I garner from my home. I live in the country and it’s great to be home and surrounded by nature. That sense of calm it brings helps my creativity flow.

Tell us about your background.

I was born and raised in the area and after graduating High School, I joined the Navy in 1998 and served for 3 years. I’ve been doing tattoos for 25 years and for a main job worked for the railroad from 2005 up until a few months ago. I created my LLC, Art Farm, and am now a full-time artist. 

Do you have a motto or favorite quote you try to live by?

I’m constantly inspired by differing quotes but the one that struck me recently that I think is good to live by is from Marcus Aurelius, “Be tolerant of others and strict with yourself.”

Favorite place for local culture?

The Toledo area has a lot of great places. I like that there’s a diverse amount of restaurants to go to and one of my favorite place is Kengo’s. And of course the Toledo Museum of Art.

Toledo’s “best kept secret” is . . .

The number of amazing things we have here right in our own backyard whether it’s the Art Museum, Libraries, Zoo, Sports and Metroparks. It’s a great place to live.

My favorite place to chill locally is . . . 

My home studio doing art work or going to dinner with my wife at one of our favorite restaurants

My favorite natural space in the Toledo area is . . . 

Maumee Bay State Park

When I’m not working hard, I can always be found at . . . 

Lately if I’m not working, I’m home getting sleep!

If you could change anything about the current landscape for creative, progressive people . . .

Community is key. One of the greatest benefits of being part of the Glass City River Wall mural, has been connecting and working with other local artists. There’s a lot of amazing projects happening in Toledo, so now is the time to embrace the local talent we have here and give them that platform to shine. Allowing local artists first dibs on local art projects can only strengthen the community- not only economically but further instilling a deep sense of pride for our city. 

Any exciting collaborations (past or present) you would like to tell us about?

There are possible expansion projects in connection with the Glass City River Wall art that hopefully are going to be coming to fruition.

Name one person (living or deceased) who you would love to collaborate with.

I don’t have a specific individual so much as I would love to work on a project with a musician. Doing an interaction piece with one is something I would love to do. In music there’s sometimes a call and response within a piece. In that spirit, I would love to create a piece of art and music that responds to one another.

Name a CD, book or website you can’t live without.

Divine Art is a great website

3 words that best describe me or my work are . . .

Passionate, Diverse, Balanced

Give us 5 Desert Island Album picks.

Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik

Dave Matthews Band - Live at Red Rocks

N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

My biggest vice is . . .

Being overly generous at times

I’d like to see __________ in Toledo.

More of a focus on showcasing Studio Art

What’s the last dream you recall having?

My mind these days are so focused on all my projects it pretty much what I eat, sleep and dream.

The last lyric that moved me was . . .

“Best of Me” by Anthony Hamilton

One movie character I identify with is . . .

Tyler Durden, Fight Club

The best gift I’ve ever received was . . .

Being afforded a talent in which I get to make my career.

My most inspiring moment was/is . . .

Quitting the Railroad and taking the leap of faith into making my art my full-time job

I want my last meal to be _______________.

Prime Rib