I am a San Jose based artist specializing in animal and human portraiture. I work mainly in acrylic and watercolor in a style that straddles the line between illustration and fine art.

       As far back as I can remember, I had an interest in the arts. My early years as a copier of comics led to my pursuit in animation and illustration, leading me to create short animations and my own strip in a local paper.

I earned my BA in Art and Art History at the University of Maryland, College Park. Here, my art began to communicate more maturely, consisting of personal imagery mixed in surrealist landscapes, and figures defined with crisp chiaroscuro and expressive brushwork. My inspirations included Chinese painting and "calligraphy", Giacometti, DeKooning Jim Nutt, the later works of Philip Guston, and others. My love for anthropology, entomology and biological forms in general are also great influences on my style, and can account for the visceral quality and anatomical correctness of my figures.

       Stylistically, I enjoy emphasizing, exaggerating, and giving variety to lines and brushstrokes in my work, and tend to favor colors and forms which are emotionally and visually strong and relate to the work's purpose. Thick colored outlines, strong lighting and twisted figures and objects are some examples of this. My style has developed along four main lines: abstract compositions, surrealist organic landscapes, whimsical and realistic animals.

       The works which I'm best known for are the latter of this group. Every hair, blemish, marking and expression are carefully rendered to create a beautiful work of art. I strive to remain true to the subject by showing the animal as they are in life, appearing as they do in real surroundings. I do not use synthetic or idealized images from the standard artistic lexicon since this damages the true nature of the animal, and takes away its personality.

         I, like art, am a complex animal in constant variation. There is constant growth as I continue to investigate and be influenced by other artists, cultures, art magazines, scientific theories, illustrations, computer graphics, and just about anything that can be interpreted by our interactive culture. Thank you for your visit throughout my site, I hope it was enjoyable and inspirational for you. Art is a truly wondrous experience; never hesitate to create everyday, in whatever you do!

-MR