Drummer Boys

My influences are first and foremost everything I see, feel and experience, but I've always loved artists that are rule breakers or those that have gone against the grain of the norm. As an artist I try to be multifaceted with my skills because I don’t like to limit my creativity or my canvas. I practice my craft in many forms that include painting, drawing, sculpture, and even photography. My artwork usually takes a critical view of social, political and/or cultural issues. I have always been intrigued by art that makes a statement and serves as a purpose in evoking thought and investigation. In my works, I like to deconstruct the American dream, world view, and societal factors of the time to challenge opinions and audience reflections as they explore the varying relationships between popular culture and fine art. The current work “The Drummer Boys,” I tried to humanize the young boys playing the drums on buckets, representing their socio- economical experiences as I juxtaposed them with a band of students with professional instruments in an urban-style portrait. As a society we are all connected to music and we all can appreciate the tones we hear whether it’s from the sound of New Orleans’ horns or the beats from a two-dollar bucket. The bold tones of red emphasize the focal points, drawing attention to the subjects and the subject.