My interests in the human body as the epitome of form & function in nature actually came originally from science, before it inevitably crossed over into art. When I was young I used to spend hours just drifting through medical books. There was also that character on the tv with the body suit I thought was cool that taught about anatomy. In school I was rather quite interested in anatomy & physiology, in addition to life sciences as well. To think over the course of billions of years, here we are, complex living organisms comprised of cells comprising tissue, comprising organs, then systems & so on & so forth. Though there are times history proves us to sometimes be otherwise we are the pinnacle of that long arduous process of adaptation & evolution. The human body is an awesome mechanism.

Yet intertwined with the knowledge & wisdom of science, has long been the passion of the arts. For example classic artists such as Da Vinci literally risked their lives & freedom to perform autopsies to better understand the human body in order to render it more articulately in art. Yet today in our "McCulture" it seems the bare human form is often perceived as little more than a mating call. Don't get me wrong, sexuality is a wondrous aspect of the human condition, unfortunately sometimes tainted by either someone's own traumatic personal experiences or through repression & subjugation. However to relegate the exposed form as merely a function of reproduction in my eyes is one dimensional, tragic, & deplorable. For example the human jaw, while also an attractive feature is also capable of exerting over 500 lbs of force upon an object. Quite impressive for muscle, tendon & bone. The body is complex, dynamic, wondrous & expressive. It is as much a vast collection of processes as it is a great form of communication of ideas through facial & bodily expression. Form & function realized.

Since I first learned to depict the human form somewhat competently I have since awakened a passion of my own that has recently blossomed through my emerging interests in photography. Though I have worked in various media since I could hold a crayon, I've only recently plunged more into working with a camera...and to thing there was a time long ago when I struggled with photography as art. I know better now. Machines can be tools as well as pencil & brush. In addition to a developed design sense over time & a long history with Photoshop (I remember 2.0) I also have the most wonderful fortune of being surrounded by a group of good friends, with open minds who have graciously offered to model for shoots. It is in fact a large part to do with them that I have been able to continue my endeavor on presenting the OTHER sides of the nude form. I can't thank them enough for their generosity.

Ultimately nudity removes all barriers that we create through our conditioned perceptions. We are all natural beings as are the trees, the other animals, the earth, the cosmos, everything...yet the further we separate ourselves from this idea, it seems the sicker we become as a planet. Surly clothing does serve a practical utilitarian role such as protection from the elements. But often times it is utilized in otherwise less practical means such as depicting class, rank, or social status. Sadly people are often judged by the clothes they wear & even more so by those they don't. It is my hope to challenge the notion that we seem bombarded with through the media that we are more than just breeding machines underneath the clothing. We are people. Emotional, intelligent, people. We are all unique yet all the same underneath the torn jeans & the designer suits. We are strong yet vulnerable....yet it is through embracing our vulnerabilities that we learn to grow in strength.