I was born in 1965, in Rotterdam, Holland. I grew up in Los Angeles, California. My father brought the family to Los Angeles as he was a European trained craftsman and was offered work at Walt Disney were he worked in the movie industry. I was inspired by the creative side of Hollywood at an early age.
After watching Star Wars at the age of 12, I built a robot out of a radio with the help of my oldest brother. That was the starting point of my creative spark. At the age of 15, I co-developed and sold video games for Apple II computers. I focused on computers, electronics and automotive arts in high school then graduated from The California Institute of the Arts, (CAL ARTS) where I studied motion graphics and visual effects. I studied under amazing artist like Jules Engle, Ed Emshwiller and Michael Scroggins. I produced a few short experimental films that received grants and awards.
After graduation, I was hired by Apogee Visual Effects. I got to work with John Dykstra and many of the artists that worked on the first Star Wars. I continued working in the Movie industry as a Visual Effects technician, Prop maker and Lighting Artist. I then started a special effects lighting company and worked on films like Starship Troopers and Alien Resurrection.
During my career in the movie industry I met the Artist #Baron Margo. We became friends and have worked together on various projects for 30 years. I have always admired Baron's work and have a large collection of his art. I then met the artist Lili Lakich when I attended her Neon Art Workshop at her Art Studio in downtown Los Angeles. This was a great experience for me and it re-ignited my creative spark and inspired me to make Illuminated art sculptures.
I have always been inspired by art deco designs and vintage concepts of the future. (Retro-Futuristic). I have restored and raced many vintage automobiles and i am a big fan of vintage planes, trains, motorcycles and cars. I also have a large collection of vintage monorail toys and other retro-futuristic toys. I published a book about the History of Toy Monorails called Monorail Metropolis. I use these designs for inspiration in my artwork. I attempt to bring together my favorite design elements along with my love for illumination. I am always looking for new “junk” that can be saved from the scrap yards and inspire me to create my next sculpture.
