Why did you choose the medium of corrugated cardboard? Are there any other mediums that you work in?
I have worked with a multitude of mediums over the years. From painting in acrylics and oil, Prisma Color Pencil, to Pen and Ink along with wood carving. My art at that time was more focused on "photo realism" and I enjoyed trying to master all that I worked with. I took a liking to corrugated boxes after breaking some down for trash day at home. After ripping a few of them I noticed the wavy medium sandwiched between the paper linings (called the flute) had an interesting and unique look to it. I had asked a neighbor of mine to save me their boxes after a move and after picking them up experimented with knifing the board to create some interesting shapes. I incorporated these design into an abstract art piece that I appropriately titled "Max and Lori's Move" and was so pleased with the results I have been hooked since. I didn't start off to intentionally to become a "green Artist" but literally that's what it is. The result of salvaging boxes from the trash that would obvioulsy become land fill and using them as the basis for my interpretive art. It has as a result allowed me to rethink my own waste contributions and has been inspirational to those who see my art as well.

Do you have a favorite place where you find your cardboard? Do you "dumpster dive"? Do family and friends save it for you?
Not in particular although I have frequented the dumpsters from the home building sites in my neighborhood especially. A great day is after kitchen cabinetry and appliances are installed into a new home and the boxes discarded. They are quite large and in wonderful shape, perfect for my creations where I need the add'l length for an art piece. A few months ago when my Niece was selling Girlscout Cookies I was elated when I received numerous corrugated cookie case boxes from her. These specifically because they have such colorful script on them. I have used the Girlscout boxes for a number of projects including one my Children's Elementary School (Hickory Ridge) in Brunswick, OH.

More times than less I will also receive a commission from a corporation that will ship to me their corrugated boxes for art I will be creating for them. Usually a logo rendition and using those boxes so that their branding can be made prevalent when viewed in the artworks. Some of those clients being Kellogg's, Mars Inc., etc. I recently had my local grocery store chain here in Brunswick (Buehler's) save for me stacks of Campbell's corrugated can cases. The groery store was happy to do so anbd I used those particular cases to create my version of Andy Warhol's iconic soup can art by using the actual product to render the image. Quite a bit of fun and enjoyment for all.

Your work seems very complicated and intricate. How long, on average, does it take to create a piece?
My art is very intricate and perhaps somewhat the only downfall I have. My creations simply take an enormous amount of time to create the look and because of such I market to corporations for the most part. On average any particular artwork can take from 100 to 150 hours to completion. It is also normal to find well upwards of 1000 individually cut pieces in any one of my art sculptures. I am a perfectionist at heart and these literally are mini-engineering marvels.

Working with paper involves some unique knife mastering skills and it takes some practice to understand what will happen to corrugated once glue is applied. Corrugated has a tendency to want to warp and twist so many elements in the artwork need to be "shored" up by reinforcement so that all stays plumb. The artworks also involve quite a bit of math in them too. Artworks have to be preplanned before commencing. Unlike a portrait painter that can simply brush over an error I do not have that luxury working with corrugated. It has to be right the first time as no going back.

Where would you like to take your art in the future? Would you prefer more corporate clients or follow a more artistic direction?
I guess all Artists for the most part want some sort of recognition for what we do. Mine is not for ego but simply that my art will be desired and I am able to make a comfortable living from it. I have found a niche in selling and marketing my art corporately but even in doing a Logo rendition, I have the ability to place my unique spin on things artistically speaking. A client will receive not just merely a sign but "art" in a three dimensional bas-relief based sculpture. Something that people will gravitate to when viewed and strike up conversation. Art as in something that captures and exemplifies the essence of their business because of its composition.

I still from time to time though create for myself numerous artworks that are non-logo based. These I will take with me to shows as examples of my style and changing them out every so often. This year I have had the pleasure with my art on display being exhibited at the City of Brea, California and at the Artist Archives of the Western Reserve in Cleveland. Both were events based on art created using "green" principals. I have attended such venues this year as in Beachwood Highschool's "Green Dream" eco event in the Spring as well as showing my work down at The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources in Columbus, OH. I have been asked this September to exhibit once again at the NASA Glenn Lewis Research Center in Cleveland of all places for their "America Recycles Day" event. All so much fun...and very happy to show my art to an interested public.

What words of advice would you give to your fellow artists about working in a non-traditional medium?
I say "go for it!" Don't let anyone tell you that it's stupid. I had my Family at first thinking I was a "nut ball." After some time of them seeing my work and then to whom I was actually selling it to they got on the band wagon thinking I wasn't off my rocker after all. You can connect your art to anything. I have build my resume / CV one client at a time. Using one client name as the basis for my next lead. I spend an awful amount of time marketing my art, in fact more so than the actual creation of it. Stick to your guns and (pardon the pun) "Think Outside the Box." I have an incredible amount of clients that 5 years ago I would never have fathomed. I have created art for some of the largest businesses in the world and have talked to many of their corporate CEO's. Don't be afraid and have confidence in yourself and it will show thru your work. Most importantly I give back to where God has given to me, that as in the form of tithing financially and of myself thru my time.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your craft?
Not so much else that hasn't been covered directly above. I do want to express my thanks for this wonderful opportunity you have given me. It is really a pleasure and honor to have such great exposure. If anyone reading is inspired to work with this wonderful medium I'd love to see what you create. Its fun to get email every so often from all parts of the world to those (normally students) who took a liking to my art as to the point of their using the material themselves. Many times I will be provided photo's of their work and aside from the obvious friendship gained it is inspirational to me as well for having a different perspective. We can learn from each other.