Get to know me

Growing up in Fort Dodge, what memories do you have from being involved in art culture?

Some of my fondest memories from Fort Dodge were when my friends and I were

making short movies and fake advertising commercials in Brian Pederson’s

childhood basement. Along with Chris Novencido, Jason Kiliper, Aaron Boerboom,

Steve Tracy, Nate Platt, and John Shekey we entertained ourselves, grew closer as

a group of friends, and had a great time doing it. 

I was involved in a lot of FDSH and ICCC theater productions and Teresa Jackson

became an incredibly inspirational force for me, on and off stage. Every production

that I was fortunate enough to be a part of was full of talented people that I am

sure could have gone on to stardom, if the cards had fallen into place. The most

vivid memories are from Improvisational Acting competitions with John Shekey.

We used to torture Teresa with our antics, and there was so much love, and

respect within the community of actors. No one had more potential than John and

I am still deeply saddened by his untimely passing. 

Did you come from an artistic family?

My family was not really artistic. My older brother, Justin, was good at drawing

when he was in high school and I remember him spending time with me and

teaching me how to draw, which was a significant inspiration in my artistic career.

My mom wasn’t artistic, necessarily, but very creative. She was always sewing

clothing, or crocheting, and I remember sitting with her while she was sewing

when I was a child. I think that my mom is the smartest person I have ever met,

and she has an incredible gift to simultaneously think analytically and creatively. I

don’t understand how she does it, but it’s something that still inspires me.

What is your educational background and what has been your journey to become

an artist/teacher?

In hindsight, I trace my career with glass to a series of high school Physics classes

taught by Dennis Hewett. He was one of the most inspiring teachers in my life.

After the first class that I had with him, my goal was to become a Physics teacher.

Mr. Hewett’s passion for Physics was mirrored by his incredible sense of humor,

and a real connection to the students. He was able to connect with me in a way

that others had not, and I still strive to his level of greatness in the classroom.

I loved to draw, and in high school I remember taking a Drawing class, and a

Photography class but never thought that I could make it professionally as an

artist. I met Kevin and Kathy Crimmins at a perfect time in my young life and Kevin

agreed to give me a tattoo apprenticeship at Permanent Collection Tattoo. It was a

pivotal point in my life, to realize that supporting myself on an artistic path was

actually achievable. I spent a few years tattooing, in FD, and later in Cleveland, OH.

When I started my bachelor studies in Cleveland, I was really overwhelmed. Being

accepted to a private Art School, with fairly limited formal art studies myself, I was

suddenly in an environment where all of my classmates had years of private art

training and I was clearly the weakest. For me, this meant that everyone in the

room was my teacher. I tried to soak up everything that I could, from the teachers

and my colleagues, but it wasn’t until my Introduction to Glass course that I felt

that I ‘fit in’.  Glass blowing is an active, sweaty, dirty medium that takes a team of people to

work efficiently. It is a physical team effort that results in a visual/artistic outcome.

The coordination, dexterity, strength, and mental fortitude that it takes to blow

glass felt similar to what I learned from Mark Miller as a small freshman in high

school, trying to play defensive end on the football field. In conjunction with my

love of physics, the physical and mental challenges of being a glass blower

challenged me in a way that made me happy to try to understand the material in a

deeper way. Now, nearly 30 years after my dream of becoming a Physics teacher, I am happy to

say that I did become a Physics teacher; but I do it with molten glass. 

What inspires you as an artist?

Life. I am constantly inspired by the world I live in. While living in NYC, I took

inspiration from the contradictions that I walked through, every day. During my

MFA studies, in Illinois, I was once again inspired by the work ethic and the people

of the Midwest. I am a product of my surroundings, and my artwork reflects my

own consciousness and questioning of my daily atmosphere.

What do you hope people experience through your artwork?

My biggest desire is that my artwork makes people think. We all experience the

world differently, and approach things from different perspectives. I hope that my

artwork allows a visual entry point for dialogue and discovery; internal or external.

I like that glass can operate on many levels simultaneously. Glass is a seductive

material, with the ability to lure viewers with an almost ‘other-worldly’ beauty.

The beauty of the material can encourage viewers to look a little deeper into the

conceptual layers, if they want to get there.

What is the most rewarding part about your job?

I started blowing glass over 20 years ago, and I still learn something from the

material every day. It is wonderful to come to the realization that even after so

many years, I still have so much to learn. When I am teaching, this is one of the

things that I try to share with students…you will only be bored with this material if

you choose to be. Far and away, the most rewarding part of my job is being a part of the wonder and

excitement that students have. Creative energy is contagious, and I receive more

from students than I could ever give back. It’s mentally exhausting and fulfilling at

the same time.

What are some of your hobbies?

Since living in Finland, I have become an even more profound lover of nature.

Finland has a law that is translated as Everyman’s Right, which means that

everyone has a right to go into the forests and use the land for recreation, as long

as no damage is done. I have really grown to love mushroom hunting and berry

picking. My home in Southern Finland has a small river, dam, and hydroelectric generator.

It has been a really fun learning experience to rebuild a 100-year-old hydroelectric

turbine and start generating my own power over the past 3 years. I always

admired my grandfather's ability as an auto mechanic, and I have started to

wonder if some of those abilities could be genetic. I would like to think so.

I started riding motorcycles when I was 16 years old. I still ride and I love the hilly,

winding roads in Finland. It keeps me grounded, and appreciative of being a small

part in a large world.

What do you tell young people who are interested in becoming an artist or an art

teacher? What advice would you give them?

I often tell young students to find something that makes them happy to get out of

bed in the morning. Something that they see themselves content to continue learning about, every day. For me that is art and teaching, but for others that may

be science, or medicine. You can make money doing just about anything, but

staying happy while you are doing it is important.

Who is your favorite artist and why? 

It is almost impossible for me to pick a single artist, so I will choose a movement.

Some of the artists that I respect most come from the American Pop Art

Movement. Utilizing the most recognizable objects in popular culture, many of

those artists were able to create a poignant critique of excess and consumerism

from within that very society. Simultaneously, those artworks were commodified

and the sale prices of those works reached levels that were previously

unattainable for living artists. The 1950’s were a time of abundance in most of

American culture and the artistic movement seized that opportunity, brilliantly.

The imagery was approachable to the average person, but also has the ability to

operate on deeper levels. Those ideas of visual accessibility while also operating on

deeper conceptual levels is something that I continue to strive for in my own

works.