Greetings, dreamers!
Welcome to my artist website.
I appreciate you stopping by, and hope you enjoy spending some time in my little corner of the cyber-sky.
I strive to update my "Classes & Events" page regularly, so please check back if you're unable to attend anything currently listed!
Wishing you all the best and a toast of thanks for lending your eyes, ears, hearts, & minds to my literary, musical, and visual artstuff. Cin cin!
xoxo
Memoir musing...
In 2021, I completed my MFA in Poetry with New England College. A major highlight of my time in the program was collaborating with my thesis mentor—brilliant poet, author, educator, and all-around marvelous artist--as-humanitarian, Chen Chen—to draft a book-length manuscript, which emerged as an autobiographical poetry collection laced with original photography. A bio-pictography, if you will. A hybrid memoir composed of poems I penned and pictures I snapped. In essence, a poetic "field guide" meant to illustrate how a life guided by truth over fear—no matter if your crossroads of choice are sized small, medium, or Holy shit!—will certainly be arduous, but it will also, and more importantly...if only eventually...be 150% worth it.
I'm currently pursuing a sibling-MFA in Nonfiction with Goucher College, buckling down in the wordsmithery to elevate and expand my work as a composer of prose. Along the way, I'm developing the manuscript to include nonfiction vignettes. When the timing is right, my aim will be to publish what's turning out to be a kind of zuihitsu-memoir. Or, a modern-day pillow book for the imaginatively inclined. Will it be released with a special edition adult pop-up scratch & sniff coffee table companion book? One can dream...
Chen had some incredibly gracious words to share about my voice and work when introducing me at my graduation ceremony and reading. Words such as (((blush)))...
Here is a poet who refuses to settle for half-truths, restlessly striving instead toward a full aliveness that shines and shines with the integrity of hard-won, innermost knowledge. - Chen Chen
You can read the full introduction and learn more by clicking the image to the right. Thanks so much if you do!
LEARN MORE...
My journey with song. . .
...unfolded across two decades of mic checks
performed from the juncture of In it &
Not--to--"win"--but---to--live--love--lose--learn--and--GIVE--it...
hundreds of gigs...innumerable hours spent sleuthing the right word/note/melody/chord/rhythm/affordable-but-tasty bottle of red...one ocean...thirty states...tens of thousands of road warrior'd miles...bottomless mugs and thermoses of joe...five records...tons of homespun demos...a brimming treasure chest of live, recorded, and written collaborations with world--class musicians & tunesmiths...and most importantly, immeasurable joys shared with countless listening souls-turned-noble patrons and friends. But don't just take my word for it—take in these archived sights & sounds.
I teaching.
Which is to say... I love demystifying poetry for those who are at once allured & alarmed by its soul-nourishing sucker punches of huh??! and hmmmm... and aaaaah. I also love instructing writing students who want to unearth and/or develop their authentic voice with a dedication to literary excellence. To these scholarly & artistic ends, it is my ongoing joy and honor to create and present dynamic workshops, classes, and talks in partnership with public libraries, colleges, and arts organizations across the Metro NY Region, as well as through independent online programming. Please check out the photo gallery above for a window into my world and way of being as a passionate, uncaped crusader of verse—if it resonates, I'd love to see you at an upcoming class or event!
Shutterbuggin'...
Art is everywhere.
I like taking pictures, to prove it.
Link here to read a short ARTIST BIO.