MISSION
I am a Philadelphia-based painter who collaborates with artist and psychologist Dr. Tracy Steen.
Through public art, pop-up art shows, and social media, our artwork explores the unseen world, the shadow side of human beings, and the stories we can tell to change our realities for the better.
Our art project Monument received a Social Media Leadership Award from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania’s school of business. Knowledge@Wharton recognized Monument as an example of how to use social media to promote a more unified world.
Telephone Wires. Spray paint on artificial brick. 48 x 72 in. 2011.
PROJECTS
RANA AND MARON ROOSEVELT
Our portrait of Rana and Maron Roosevelt as angels was on display at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral as part of their Fourth Biennial Diocesan Invitational Art Exhibit.
Guests joined Tracy, our newborn Caroline, and me at an Artists’ Reception. Thank you everyone for coming out. It was the scene of many happy reunions. The champagne helped make for a wonderful reception, along with the beautiful space and the tremendous generosity of the Cathedral.
I’m so glad so many people got to meet Caroline too! Thank you again!!!
As I was finishing this painting, I encountered the following translation of Daniel 10:16 (ESV), where the prophet is given strength by the angel Gabriel: “And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips.”
The portrait was inspired by the painter and naturalist Abbott Thayer, for whom angels were a recurring theme. Coincidentally, as I was conducting research for the portrait, I also discovered the strong connection between Thayer and Theodore Roosevelt. The two engaged in sometimes daily correspondence and a vicious, extended public debate over the evolutionary reasons for animal coloration.
ANGEL
Our mural on the side of Trinity Memorial Church was featured in Philly street-art blog Streets Dept. I think the little door was originally a coal chute. We added a slot for whatever you choose.
Thank you to Trinity and it’s rector, Rev. Donna Maree, for the opportunity and support and Abbot Thayer for the inspiration. Also thank you to Elena Laskin for her jig saw, Rittenhouse Hardware for their good advice, NextFab Studios for their table saw and generosity, Blick Art Materials for their wise observations about paints and varnishes, and most of all Tracy Steen for her thoughtful ideas, incomparable creativity, and love.
PROJECTS 2015-2018
Our projects from 2015-2018 explored (1) the intertwined paths of couples, (2) aspects of the word “leviathan” and the human relationship with the mysteries of the sea, and (3) dreams about flying, invoking images of American and family history.
MONUMENT
In this project, Dr. Steen and I explored the meaning of monuments. Who among us is worthy of a monument? How can we best memorialize great actions and great people? Should monuments have an expiration date?
LINCOLN LIVED
From 2011 to 2014, Dr. Steen and I explored the manipulation of history by rewriting it. We proposed a new theory--a happy ending--to explain the mysteries surrounding Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Was John Wilkes Booth actually killed in his escape from Ford’s Theatre into Virginia? In this retelling, President Lincoln’s son Willie overcame typhoid fever and was spirited away from the White House, Booth was a spy loyal to the Union along with his co-conspirator Lewis Thornton Powell, and President Lincoln faked his assassination and lived in secret. Dr. Steen and I left clues throughout the Internet and social media about President Lincoln’s legacy.
LIE COUNTER
Lie Counter was a free interactive art experience that Dr. Steen and I created in 2012 for Apple's iPhone®. Using Lie Counter helped users become more aware of the lies they told and the lies told to them by others. The app helped users count lies as they happened and record and graph the lies over time. To promote the app, I also shared noteworthy lies and lie-related material that I found on social media.
EXERCISES IN THREE DIMENSIONS
In these exercises, Dr. Steen and I studied how red and cyan stereoptic filtering can be used to place two-dimensional objects in the foreground, midground, or background of a painting. Exercises in Three Dimensions was exhibited from July to November 2011 at Giant Steps Gallery in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood of Philadelphia. For the exhibit, we described each painting and explained how red and cyan 3D glasses work.
WORK, PLAY, REST
In this series, Dr. Steen and I examined the joy of living life intensely and in the present moment, as exemplified by our dog, Serena (1999-2014). Work, Play, Rest was exhibited in April 2011 by Studio Christensen.
RITTENHOUSE SOUNDS:
STAFF SELECTIONS
Through our venture Rittenhouse Sounds, Dr. Steen and I collaborated with two Philadelphia music experts, Max Stevens and Stephen Stone-Bush, to compile the best songs by the best new artists of 2011.
NATION BRAND
The goal of Nation Brand was to illuminate the everyday interactions that shape how nations are perceived. Nation Brand was inspired by Wharton professor David Reibstein's philosophy that nations, like products, have images or brands. Although the web of influences that brand a nation is complex, in one sense it is simple: Nations are branded by people and through people. Nation Brand is available through Amazon and Kindle.
