Both of my parents are artists and have had a big influence on my work. I am also very influenced by the Dutch and Flemish painting traditions, dark rich backgrounds with subject matter that is muted but still has strategic pops of color. Two of my favorite American painters are John Singer Sargent and Andrew Wyeth. Sargent’s perfect balance of looseness yet tonal realism has been something I’ve appreciated since I was a boy. I find myself in a constant struggle to achieve the perfect balance between clean simple subjects, and keeping enough interest for the viewers eye.