I grew up in Stamford, Connecticut and my connection to basketball runs deep.  With childhood dreams of playing in the NBA, I eventually became a state free throw champion in middle school–my crowning achievement on the court (save for a few legendary playground performances).  But I held on to the dream and suppose it was inevitable that my professional journey as a corporate executive would include two stints working at the league, in business development in Asia and New York, the latter of which I call home today.  FWIW, I also did two stints as an exec at Yahoo!, becoming perhaps the only person in the world to have worked at both companies, twice.

My artistic vision, which started to come into focus during the 2019 COVID pandemic, has been influenced by my global experiences.  I've always admired the extraordinary talent of some artists and their ability to bring a unique vision to life.  It's this skill and the dedication to master it that connects artists with athletes—Picasso with a paint brush, Michael Jordan with a basketball—both dedicated to their craft and whose movements and patterns are instantly recognizable.  

Extensive travel around the world, including a decade living in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Taipei, while frequently visiting international basketball hotspots like the Philippines and China, exposed me to incredible beauty, even in unexpected places.  However, it was the countless hours spent on the basketball court as a child that shaped my love for sport and my fascination with the choreographed movements of teamwork.  I started creating artwork that featured well-known basketball plays, like the pick-and-roll and the picket fence, and with positive feedback from friends and family, Ball Is Art was born, combining my two lifelong passions.

I start every piece by watching basketball videos or reviewing post-game stats.  I break down highlights, analyze how teams move, and study individual player performances.  These all become the foundation for my next artwork.  I sketch out my vision on an iPad, and eventually infuse color.  I work digitally, but I like to incorporate multiple painting techniques (usually in acrylic) to help create the final physical piece.  It's important to me to make something tangible.  While my vision is clear, my execution is still evolving.  I'm not sure if I'll ever be great, but I always keep the words of Kobe Bryant close to my heart: "May you always remember to enjoy the road, especially when it's a hard one."  True that.

Many people believe ball is life, and I can see why.  But Ball Is Art is more my style.  If you agree, hit me up!