Finding Shelter

They say it’s a jungle out there, that a city can swallow you whole. They also say it’s where dreams can come true and fortune can be found. Cities have always been a mixed place, and I’ve lived in them most of my life. I can’t count how many times I’ve been swallowed up by its hard edges. Probably just as many times as I’ve walked down the streets like a king. It’s safe to say for me, and for many people, living in a city is full of a variety of emotions and experiences. “Finding Shelter,” is a new series that examines the dual nature within cities. It is a collection of paintings where I explore the dirty and gritty streets in order to find hidden gems. Sometimes it’s on a corner, sometimes it’s under a bridge, sometimes it’s facing traffic while waiting for the bus. This new body of work is inspired by the tension that lies between utopia and dystopia. It is literally about finding shelter, and finding home.