At age thirteen, I began to look at things differently. The small town I grew up in was suddenly provincial, the authority figures I had always looked up to were absurd, and God was made up, like Santa Claus. I became angry at the world and acted out by carving obscenities into trees and lighting things on fire. Fortunately, I also developed a sense of humor. This turned out to be a more effective and long-term way of dealing with my anxiety.

In my paintings, I still use humor to deal with the more difficult things in life. With exaggeration, juxtaposition, and a few grotesque details, I am able to make fun of the folly I see embedded in my culture.