Basement Magazine Article

In September 2015, I had the honor of being featured in Basement Magazine, a New York–based publication dedicated to showcasing emerging and established artists. While I didn’t land the cover, I was humbled to receive a full six-page spread highlighting my work and creative process.

This opportunity was especially meaningful because the magazine reached out to me directly after discovering my art. To be recognized in that way—by people who saw value in what I was creating—was both exciting and validating. The feature included several of my portrait paintings, alongside an interview where I shared my inspirations, techniques, and approach to art.

Being published in a magazine out of New York, a hub for the art world, was a milestone in my career. It allowed me to connect with a wider audience and share the stories behind my work with readers who may never have otherwise come across it.

I am deeply grateful to Basement Magazine for including me in their artist showcase and for giving me the space to present my work on such a large platform.

Here is generally what I said in my interview (on my first page of the magazine):

Art has always been a part of my life. From a young age, I was fascinated by drawing and color, experimenting with whatever materials I could get my hands on. In my teenage years, I became obsessed with magazines and spent countless hours sketching from their pages. That passion grew into painting, which gave my work a permanence and depth that drawing alone couldn’t provide.

Portraiture quickly became my greatest inspiration. I love the challenge of telling a story with a single image. Much like the first seven seconds of meeting someone, when you form your strongest impression, my portraits are meant to create an immediate connection. I want viewers to feel as though they are being invited into a private moment with the subject—an intimate glimpse into their world.

I am especially inspired by individuality and self-expression. People who stand out—those with tattoos, piercings, or unconventional styles—often become the focus of my work. At the same time, I draw influence from many different artists: graffiti artists, traditional painters, illustrators, and photographers. Each one contributes something to my process and helps me grow as an artist.

My artistic process is deliberate and layered. I begin by photographing my models in the studio, exploring lighting and composition until I find the image that speaks to me. From there, I sketch the figure onto canvas and bring it to life with layers of acrylic paint and colored pencil. Each piece can take days or even weeks to complete, depending on its complexity.

Beyond portraiture, I also enjoy creating landscapes and cityscapes, often inspired by my hikes in the Rocky Mountains. While I don’t share those works as often, they represent another side of my creative journey—one that connects me deeply to the beauty of Colorado.

Education has played an important role in my growth as an artist. I earned my bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Metropolitan State University of Denver and later pursued a master of fine arts at Regis University. That training gave me both technical skill and the confidence to develop a personal style that falls somewhere between realism and surrealism.

In addition to my own portfolio, I also take on commission work. I believe portraits are one of the most meaningful ways to capture a person’s identity, and I work closely with clients to ensure their personality, style, and presence shine through. My goal is always to create artwork that feels personal and timeless.