Converse

All Star Asian Fusion:

Although they've been around for decades, Converse sneakers (or a pair of Chucks, as they're sometimes called), symbolize a fresh individualism to me. No other article of clothing is so readily identifiable, universally popular, and able to span generational, cultural, and status gaps. Neat thing is, every pair of Converse bears the unique marks of its wearer. Mine reveal my work as an artist with drops of paint on the toes and soles.

The subtle Chinese characters and Asian references in this series speak to my heritage: I'm half Chinese and the other half is a mix of Scottish, German, French, and Native American. Mostly, I find being multi-racial a blessing, like living life through a prism with multiple brilliant facets. However, on some days it becomes a fractured existence with too many disparate viewpoints and I long to meld them together....like Asian fusion cuisine.

I seek to combine both aspects within these paintings: East and West, light and shadow, precision and ambiguity.