"What was it like going to art school?"

I was asked recently about my own experience at art school. Actually, I attended a Design school, and though art was a large part of the training, the education at Art Center College of Design was much more extensive than just art. Attending Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, really was one of the most unforgettable chapters of my life. Out of all the memories I made during my time there, one experience stands out above the rest—the collaborative design project in my third term.

That project was part of a transdisciplinary course where students from different design backgrounds, like graphic design, industrial design, and interaction design, teamed up. Our goal was to come up with a product that would make urban life better. Working with such a talented and diverse group of people opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and solving problems. Each person brought something unique to the table, and that blend of creativity was electric.

“(this was) really was one of the most unforgettable chapters of my life…”

Our team landed on the idea of creating a modular public seating system that could adapt to different urban spaces. I focused on the visual branding and user interface, while my teammates handled product engineering and environmental design. We hit some roadblocks trying to balance style with function, but we worked through every challenge together, determined to make something both beautiful and practical.

What made the experience even more special was the feedback we got from our instructors and visiting professionals. Their honest critiques pushed us to keep improving and paying attention to every little detail. Art Center had this way of demanding the best from us, and it made us better designers.

The day we presented our final prototype at the end-of-term showcase was one I’ll never forget. Seeing our hard work come to life and hearing positive reactions from our peers and industry pros made it all worth it. It was a real reminder of how design can shape the world around us.

That project at Art Center didn’t just sharpen my design skills—it taught me the value of teamwork, resilience, and staying open to new ideas. It was a perfect example of what Art Center stands for: excellence, innovation, and pushing creative boundaries. Those lessons and memories will stay with me wherever my career takes me.

Why I Love the Rococo Period

The Rococo period has always fascinated me. There’s something about its elegance, soft colors, and playful charm that makes it feel almost dreamlike. Emerging in the early 18th century, Rococo was a reaction to the grandeur and seriousness of the Baroque era. Instead of dark, dramatic themes, Rococo artists embraced lightness, romance, and beauty. Their work feels like an escape into a world of luxury and fantasy, and that’s exactly why I love it.

One of my favorite things about Rococo art is its attention to detail. Artists like Jean-Honoré Fragonard and François Boucher created paintings filled with soft pastels, flowing fabrics, and delicate brushstrokes. Their scenes often depicted aristocrats lounging in lush gardens, playful love affairs, or even mythological figures surrounded by golden light. Looking at their work feels like stepping into a fairy tale—one filled with music, laughter, and endless beauty.

One of my favorite things about Rococo art is its attention to detail.

But Rococo wasn’t just about paintings. It influenced everything from architecture to fashion. Ornate furniture, gilded mirrors, and intricate ceiling frescoes filled the homes of the wealthy, making everyday life feel like a work of art. Even today, you can see traces of Rococo style in modern design, proving that its charm never truly faded.

For me, Rococo is more than just an art movement—it’s a reminder that art can be lighthearted, joyful, and enchanting. In a world that often feels heavy, sometimes we all need a little Rococo magic to brighten our day.

Whirls of gold and light,

Soft pastels and joy take flight,

Elegance in bloom.

Art at the Very Beginning

Art has been part of human life for as long as we’ve been around. One of the oldest examples of artistic expression comes from prehistoric cave paintings, like those in Chauvet Cave in France, Altamira in Spain, and Sulawesi in Indonesia. Some of these paintings are over 40,000 years old, created by early humans using charcoal, ochre, and other natural pigments. They mostly show animals, handprints, and abstract symbols, and while we don’t know exactly why they were made, they were clearly important to the people who created them. Maybe they were part of a ritual, a way to communicate, or just an early form of storytelling.

What’s incredible is how much these ancient works still speak to us today. Even though our world looks nothing like theirs, the need to create and express ourselves hasn’t changed. Whether it’s through painting, music, movies, or digital art, we still use creativity to tell stories, connect with others, and make sense of our surroundings—just like our ancestors did on the walls of those caves.

…”the need to create and express ourselves hasn’t changed.”

There’s also something really inspiring about the simplicity of these paintings. They didn’t have fancy tools or endless colors to choose from, but they still found a way to make art that has lasted for tens of thousands of years. It’s a reminder that creativity isn’t about having the best materials—it’s about using what you have to say something meaningful.

Even modern artists draw inspiration from cave paintings, using their raw, minimalist style in contemporary work. Beyond that, just knowing that humans have always felt the urge to create reminds us that art isn’t just decoration—it’s part of what makes us human. The people who made those ancient paintings might not have imagined that their work would still be admired today, but their creativity has outlived them by thousands of years. And that’s pretty amazing.

Monet and Renoir: A Personal Reflection on Their Differences

Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir are two of my favorite artists from the Impressionist movement. Both of them captured light, color, and movement in a way that changed art forever. Though their works share similarities—like soft brushstrokes, vibrant outdoor scenes, and a focus on those fleeting moments of life—I’ve always felt that their artistic visions are quite different. Monet was obsessed with light and the atmosphere, while Renoir focused on the warmth of human interaction and emotion.

When I look at Monet’s paintings, like his Water Lilies or Haystacks, I feel like I’m seeing more than just a landscape. It’s almost like I can feel the sunlight changing through the day, or the breeze gently moving the water. Monet’s brushstrokes are soft, blurring the details, and it makes me feel like the scene is slipping into a dream. His art isn’t about the specific subject—it’s about how the light shapes everything around it, how it breathes life into the scene.

It’s almost like I can feel the sunlight changing through the day, or the breeze gently moving the water.

Then there’s Renoir, whose work is full of warmth and life. His paintings, like Luncheon of the Boating Party or Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, are filled with people enjoying each other’s company, smiling, laughing, connecting. Where Monet’s figures blend into the scenery, Renoir’s are alive with texture and emotion. You can almost feel the joy radiating from the people in his scenes. His work feels like a warm, inviting moment, where you can almost hear the music and feel the happiness in the air.

Despite their differences, both Monet and Renoir were true Impressionists. They didn’t care about rigid details—they wanted to capture movement, emotion, and the fleeting beauty of life. Monet painted the world as it shimmered around him, while Renoir painted it as he felt it—with affection, charm, and warmth. Both of them remind me to appreciate the beauty in life’s little moments, whether it’s the changing light or the joy of being with others.

Brushstrokes blend in light,

Monet's blooms, Renoir’s glow,

Impression's soft flight.

The Fount of Creation: A poem

Creation’s fount! thou queen of beauty, pure and bright,
With grace and majesty, thy hands impart
A radiance that fills the world with light,
And stirs the deepest secrets of the heart.
Thine eyes, more tender than the morning sky,
Reflect a truth that cannot fade or die,
And in thy gaze, all mysteries are told,
A wealth of wonders more than can be sought or sold.

Thy form, a vision born of heaven’s bliss,
A perfect harmony of love and grace,
Each movement like a soft and fleeting kiss,
Each breath an echo of the sainted place.
Thy colors weave through time, both bright and fair,
Like autumn leaves, caught in the golden air,
And every line thy hand does softly trace
Becomes a story written in thy face.

In thee, O Art, we find a noble soul,
A love that heals, a peace that makes us whole,
Thy presence lifts the burdens of the mind,
And in thy beauty, all our hearts are twined.
For thou, eternal as the stars above,
Art beauty’s form, art love’s own sacred dove,
Thy hand has touched the world with gentle grace,
And left upon it beauty's sweet embrace.

The Relationship Between Music and Painting

What do music and painting have in common? Actually, a lot. Music and painting, though distinct art forms, share a real connection rooted in their ability to evoke emotions, tell stories, and express the depths of human experience. The interplay between these two mediums can result in powerful, inspiring works of art that transcend boundaries and create a holistic sensory experience. One of the most enjoyable art projects I’ve ever undertaken was to paint four large paintings, each painting representing what I SAW in my mind as I listened to the four movements of Beethoven’s fifth symphony. It was a wild experiment for me!

I think the connection works because the way music inspires painting is through its capacity to evoke emotions and moods. Music, with its rhythm, melody, and harmony, can transport listeners to different emotional states. An artist can translate these feelings into visual elements, using color, texture, and composition to mirror the emotions stirred by the music. For example, a piece of classical music with a slow, melancholic melody might inspire a painting with cool, muted tones and fluid, gentle brushstrokes, capturing the essence of sadness or introspection.

Music also has the power to stimulate the imagination and conjure vivid imagery. Listening to a piece of music, an artist may visualize scenes, landscapes, or abstract forms that resonate with the sounds they hear. This synesthetic experience allows artists to create paintings that are a direct response to the music, blending auditory and visual elements into a cohesive artistic expression.

Listening to a piece of music, an artist may visualize scenes, landscapes, or abstract forms

The rhythm and dynamics of music can influence the composition and movement within a painting. Just as music has crescendos, diminuendos, and varying tempos, a painting can incorporate contrasting elements, such as bold, energetic strokes juxtaposed with soft, delicate details. This rhythmic interplay can create a sense of movement and flow within the artwork, making it visually engaging and dynamic.

Also, the themes and narratives within music can inspire artists to explore similar concepts in their paintings. An orchestral piece that tells a story of heroism and adventure might lead an artist to create a dramatic, epic scene filled with tension and excitement. Conversely, a folk song about love and loss might inspire a more intimate, personal painting that delves into the complexities of human relationships.

Music and painting are intertwined in their ability to inspire and enhance each other. The emotions, imagery, rhythm, and narratives found in music provide a rich source of inspiration for painters, enabling them to create visually compelling works that resonate on a deeper, emotional level.

Exploring the Golden Ratio in Art

The Golden Ratio, also known as the Divine Proportion or Phi (about 1.618), has captivated artists, architects, and mathematicians for centuries. This mathematical concept is celebrated for creating harmony and aesthetic appeal in various art forms. But how do artists use the Golden Ratio? Let's explore its fascinating applications.

The Golden Ratio comes from the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two before it (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.). As the sequence progresses, the ratio between successive numbers gets closer to the Golden Ratio (1.618). This unique proportion means the whole is to the larger part as the larger part is to the smaller, creating a visually pleasing effect.

The Golden Ratio has ancient roots, particularly in Greek culture, where mathematicians like Euclid and Pythagoras explored its properties. It gained prominence during the Renaissance, with artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo using it in their masterpieces. The Vitruvian Man and the composition of The Last Supper are prime examples of the Golden Ratio creating balance and harmony.

How Artists Use the Golden Ratio

Artists often use the Golden Ratio to divide their canvases into appealing proportions. By placing focal points along the Golden Ratio lines, they create compositions that naturally attract the viewer's eye. This technique is found in classical paintings, photography, and modern graphic design, helping to achieve balance and elegance.

The human body is a central subject in art, and the Golden Ratio helps achieve idealized proportions. Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man is a perfect example, with the human form mapped according to the Golden Ratio. This principle helps artists create balanced and naturally pleasing figures.

The Golden Ratio extends beyond visual art into architecture and design. Iconic structures like the Parthenon in Athens, the Egyptian pyramids, and modern buildings like the Guggenheim Museum in New York use these proportions. This application is also found in everyday objects, from furniture to logos, ensuring functionality and visual appeal.

The Golden Ratio appears in nature too, not just human creations. Spiral patterns in shells, leaf arrangements, and even animal body proportions follow this ratio. Artists often draw inspiration from these natural examples, creating works that resonate with the beauty of the natural world.

The Golden Ratio's allure lies in its ability to create harmonious and balanced compositions. By understanding and applying this ratio, artists can enhance their work's aesthetic quality, drawing viewers in with a sense of natural beauty and proportion. Whether in ancient sculptures, Renaissance paintings, or contemporary designs, the Golden Ratio remains a timeless tool in the artist's toolkit.

Artistic Enlightenment: Lessons from Italy

A couple years ago, my wife Joy and I had the opportunity to visit Italy. And honestly, visiting Italy was like stepping into an artist's dream. The country is a living, breathing gallery, and the experiences I had there have truly transformed my creative process.

Wandering through the Uffizi Gallery in Florence was like meeting the greats—Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. Seeing their masterpieces up close taught me that there’s so much value in mastering traditional techniques and understanding art’s historical context. These guys showed me that sometimes, to innovate, you need to have a deep appreciation for the past.

The beauty of Venice, with its crumbling buildings and weathered charm, was a revelation. The city’s worn steps and peeling paint told stories of their own, proving that imperfection adds depth and character to art. This experience encouraged me to embrace flaws in my work and see them as unique features rather than mistakes.

“Honestly, art is everywhere in Italy, and people genuinely cherish it.”

Italy’s landscapes, like the rolling hills of Tuscany and the sunlit Amalfi Coast, were a lesson in color and light. Watching how the colors of the countryside changed with the light of the day helped me grasp the dynamic relationship between color and light in my paintings. The vibrant Mediterranean light has definitely influenced my palette, adding a new warmth and brightness.

Honestly, art is everywhere in Italy, and people genuinely cherish it. From Rome’s art districts to Florence’s artisan workshops, the dedication and passion I encountered were infectious. This immersion reminded me that true artistry isn't just about talent; it’s about persistent dedication to the craft.

One of the biggest takeaways from my Italian adventure was realizing that inspiration can be found anywhere I go. Whether in the grand frescoes of a cathedral in Rome, the elegance of a handmade ceramic in Sulmona, or the lively gestures of street performers in a Bari piazza, Italy taught me to always keep my eyes open. Every moment, no matter how small, can translate into a burst of creativity.

In a nutshell, my journey through “the boot” was a rich tapestry of lessons that will stay with me forever. The history, beauty, passion, and everyday moments I experienced have deeply enriched my creative vision and appreciation for art. I can’t wait to go back!

Creativity and Exploration

This summer, I was fortunate enough to undertake an incredible adventure through Greece, and my creative juices are flowing more than ever. The trip was a whirlwind of inspiration that has profoundly impacted my art.

Roaming around Athens, the grandeur of the ancient ruins, like the Parthenon, hit me hard. The architectural marvels aren't just historical relics; they’re masterpieces of balance and proportion. These structures pushed me to rethink the geometric precision in my own work, urging me to integrate more deliberate lines and symmetry.

The colors of Greece are mesmerizing. The turquoise waters against the crisp white buildings in coastal towns like Nafplio and Monemvasia create a stunning contrast that I couldn’t resist bringing into my art. I’ve started experimenting with these color palettes, aiming to capture that same sense of clarity and serenity.

“The colors of Greece are mesmerizing…”

Then there was the spontaneity of exploring small villages and markets. Interacting with local craftsmen and watching them at work was a revelation. Their dedication to their craft reminded me of the importance of hands-on experimentation and play in the creative process. Whether it’s trying out new techniques or mixing unconventional materials, this spirit of exploration is crucial. It’s about allowing oneself to play with ideas, to experiment without fear of failure, and to discover new possibilities.

One particularly impactful moment was visiting the monasteries in Meteora, perched on towering cliffs. The sheer audacity of their construction and the meditative quiet of the surroundings inspired me to incorporate more contemplative elements into my art. It’s about finding that balance between boldness and serenity.

Overall, my trip to mainland Greece was a profound reminder of how essential exploration and play are in the creative process. It’s through these unstructured, playful moments that innovation happens. Greece’s vibrant landscapes, rich history, and the spirit of its people have left a lasting imprint on my artistic journey, encouraging me to embrace both the precision of ancient structures and the spontaneity of modern life in my work.

If you ever feel stuck, sometimes the best thing you can do is wander, explore, and let your creative spirit play. Greece taught me that in the most beautiful way possible.

"So how do you DO this?"

Behind the Scenes: my process

One of the things that’s most fun for me about my painting career is that I made up (or more accurately) am making up the technique every day I paint. To do that requires basic knowledge of color and proportions (thank you art school!) but the rest takes a sense of daring and exploration. It takes a huge dose of “I don’t care if I fail at this idea — I just want to see if this works” kind of attitude. About half of the main basic steps of what has become my technique were arrived at by exploring, and honestly, they were what I thought at the moment to be mistakes. But then the next day, I’d pull out the painting again and stare at it and (sometimes) be surprised at how the ingredients chemically reacted with each other overnight. Sometimes the result was horrendous; sometimes amazing. For the latter outcome, it was then a matter of trying to remember what all went into creating the results.

So what exactly is the technique I came up with? The core is a secret. It will be revealed at the reading of my will. Just kidding. :). But yeah, I don’t share everything. But here is what I DO share.

Step 1: Find some really good inspirational photos I can use for color reference.

Step 2: Create a pencil sketch on my canvas.

Step 3: Build up the sketch with layers and layers of gesso and modeling compound so that the sketch becomes dimensional

Step 4: Cover the entire textured surface of the painting with metallic leaf.

Step 5: Apply many layers of paint onto the surface.

Step 6: Seal the painting with either satin varnish or solar resistant resin.

That’s it! Easy huh? It’s actually not easy at all.  Through the years, we’ve had to call chemists and pick their brains about why the paint did this or that. To develop this technique, I’ve made so many, many mistakes but that’s how you invent anything really. I kind of enjoy being half artist, half mad scientist. At least I’ve not blown up anything yet (that only happens when I’m in the kitchen).