History

About my practice


As a sculptor, I approach my practice with a versatile mindset, not limited to a specific medium. My traditional background in carpentry has played a crucial role in shaping my artistic vision. Through my study of carpentry, I have developed a keen eye for space, form, and function. More than just a vocation, carpentry is the study of people. It encompasses the understanding of ergonomics, ADA compliance, affordance logic, and the development of home interiors, all of which aim to improve the comfort and well-being of those around us.

In my sculpture, I strive to anticipate the needs of the viewer, and through a semiotic understanding of an object, and the histories they elicit, I aim to kindle something within the viewer. By curating not only a visual but also a tactile, auditory, or other sensory experience, I guide the viewer into creating their own artful experience. As one person expresses what has been elucidated from within themselves to another person, a happening occurs. This is a new, genuine piece of art; it is the human experience.

I firmly believe that we play an active role in our existence through choice, but our environments significantly affect our perceptions of those choices. As a carpenter, I feel compelled to create environments that promote life and provide a place for people to come together. As an artist, it is an honor to engage with my community creatively and positively. As a human, it is truly a privilege to create something that lives on in the memories of others. I take great care with this privilege and believe that art should engage and change the viewer.


CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION   

1.   San Diego State University – 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182

Master of Fine Arts - Furniture Design and Woodworking ‐ June 2021

2.  University of Arkansas at Little Rock ‐ 2801 S University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72204

Bachelor of Fine Arts – Applied Design, Furniture Design, December 2017

3.   Louisiana Technological University ‐ 700 W California Ave. Ruston, LA 71270

Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts, History, May 2009

    4.   Louisiana Technological University ‐ 700 W California Ave. Ruston, LA 71270

Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts, Political Science, May 2009

    5.   Hall Senior High School – 6700 H St. Little Rock, AR 72205

 Year of Graduation – 2006


WORK EXPERIENCE   

1. University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Wingate Center of Art + Design – 2801 S University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72204  

Visiting Assistant Professor - 2023 - present

ARAD 3310 - Intro to Woodworking

An introduction to woodworking and furniture design. Application of the principles of design taught through fundamental woodworking techniques. Students learn both traditional and contemporary methods; hand tool use, machine tool operations, design and planning strategies, and digital technologies. Prerequisite for all other woodworking courses. No previous experience is necessary. 

ARST 4315: Advanced Problem Design: Digital Fabrication

This course is a survey of contemporary digital fabrication techniques and their applications in the fields of art and design. Students learn to develop designs using a computer and to fabricate elements of their projects using the school's new machinery and off-campus fabricators through the development of three technical projects.

ARAD 4310: Advanced Woodworking I

Continued exploration of the materials, processes, and technologies of woodworking and furniture design in the construction of creative and functional forms. Emphasis on increased complexity of design and construction while developing the individual aesthetic of the designer-artist.

ARAD 4311: Advanced Woodworking II

Concentrated focus on the development of personal design aesthetics and creation of complex woodworking projects exhibiting high degrees of technical proficiency. 

ARST 3312: Contemporary Craft

An introductory course introducing students to the four areas of Contemporary Craft: wood, metal, ceramics, and fiber through demos and assignments. The course will focus on developing proper technique associated with each material, developing a personal design aesthetic through the making of one-of-a-kind objects as well as the development of a high level of craftsmanship. This course will require some use of hand and power tools while students develop items from each area.

ARST 2318: Computer Applications in Art

An introduction to woodworking and furniture design. Application of the principles of design taught through fundamental woodworking techniques. Students learn both traditional and contemporary methods; hand tool use, machine tool operations, design and planning strategies, and digital technologies. Prerequisite for all other woodworking courses. No previous experience is necessary.

ARST 4395: BFA Thesis Project

This course provides the student with the opportunity to create a focused project body of work in the emphasis area and engage in individual and group critiques. The course will culminate with a BFA group exhibition of the produced works as well as a presentation and defense.

ARAD 4390: Advanced Studio Project

This course is intended for students who have completed most, or all, studio courses offered in the applied design area of the student’s emphasis. In this advanced course, students will propose an appropriate studio project of their own design. 


2. San Diego Community College University, San Diego College of Continuing Education, Clothing and Textiles Department – 3249 Fordham St, San Diego, CA 92110

Fiber Technology Laboratory (FTL) 2021- 2022

For the CUT Sew Industry education program, I created a digital technology program. To work in the textile industries of fashion, upholstery, upcycling, marine, outdoor, and all others, students are learning how to incorporate digital technology into their design and fabrication skills. For the construction of a digital technology classroom and computer lab, our department received funding from the CA Lottery, Perkins grants, and Workforce grants. I have purchased seven 3D printers, two 50-watt CO2 lasers, a desktop CNC router, a 24" dye sublimation printer, heat presses, two direct-to-garment printers, a 72" plotter, a 48" photographic printer, a 3D scanner, a computer lab with thirty seats, and software from Adobe Creative Cloud, Rhino3d, Autodesk Suite, and CLO. To introduce students to these technologies and the software needed to use them, I've created a digital essentials curriculum. This interdisciplinary certificate program was not created specifically just for the textile industry in mind. I am working with the welding, steel fabrication, jewelry, automotive, and culinary departments to build a solid foundation of knowledge that can be customized and applied in a variety of curriculums. As part of my duties, I put together a mobile digital lab that I can take to other campuses in our system and use for recruiting.

CLTX 530 Clothing 7: Occupation/Textile & CLTX 650 Sewing for the Home

This is a dual enrollment course that will teach you industrial sewing techniques used in the upholstery industry. Students learn traditional upholstery techniques as well as modern digital applications in the field.

CLTX 652 Sewn Product Business II

Students who complete this course will be ready to produce and manufacture sewn goods at the entry-level. Digital tools will be used in production processes using both commercial and household sewing equipment. Students are taught how to seamlessly integrate digital technologies into the current textile industry.

CLTX 653 Sewn Product Business III

Students learn how to market sewn products to consumers. Students develop a marketing strategy and the entrepreneurial skills needed to start their own business or seek professional employment. Students investigate package design, logo development, and branding, as well as methods for designing, manufacturing, and marketing their goods.

 

3. Sunset Projects - Miki Iwasaki - 5841 Mission Gorge Rd Ste D, San Diego, CA 92120

Design and Fabrication Consultant 5/2021- (consultant)

https://www.mikiiwasaki.com/

https://www.sunsetprojects.com/

Sunset Projects is a design-build firm that is owned by architect, sculptor, and furniture maker Miki Iwasaki. We conceptualize and build design objects, furnishings, and interiors to client specifications as well as work with communities to create public artworks. Projects range from boutique tea shop interiors to fabrication work for other artists, to building and shipping sculptures across the continent. While I’ve been with this firm, I have had the opportunity to take part in the design, fabrication, and/or installation of these artworks:

“Interwave” Morganton, NC

“Facetime” San Diego, CA

“Minecraft” Denver, CO

“Signalscape” San Diego, CA

“Astralgraph” San Diego, CA

“Children’s Park” San Diego, CA

 

4. San Diego State University, Department of Art and Design‐ 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182

Lecturer 2019-2021

Art 323(223) Introduction to Furniture Design and Construction

This course will introduce and develop skills in wood-based media. The projects range from sculptural to functional design applications. Students are encouraged to challenge the design models that surround them and to create informed works of art in a new medium.

Art 524: Digital Fabrication Techniques for Art and Design

This course is a survey of contemporary digital fabrication techniques and their applications in the fields of art and design. Students learn to develop designs using a computer and to fabricate elements of their projects using the school's new machinery and off-campus fabricators through the development of three technical projects.

Art 220: Design in Crafts

Spring 2019 - Through contemporary crafts and handmaking, this course is intended to introduce students to historical and contemporary human-centered design. Students will identify the interrelationship between the self and the creative arts through an examination of functional object production from around the world. I lectured on the woodworking portion of this course for one-third of the time.

Fab Lab Technician ‐ 8/18– 6/21

I was responsible for assisting SDSU art students in running and operating CNC routers, 3D printers, laser engravers/cutters, and CNC mills. This position required not only knowledge of how to operate these machines, but also knowledge of maintenance and keeping equipment up to industry standards. I was also responsible for training students on how to operate the machines safely and efficiently.

Graduate Assistant – 8/2019 – 6/21

In this position, I oversee supplying the SDSU woodshop with the tools and supplies required to complete the course curriculum. This necessitates budget management and inventory management for woodshop supplies. I am also the first point of contact for shop maintenance issues, and I collaborate closely with SDSU technicians to ensure the woodshop is operational.

 

5. Tommy Farrell Custom Furniture – 1601 E. 5th St. North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114

Carpenter ‐ Digital Draftsperson – 2/01/2015 (consultant)

http://www.tommyfarrell.com/

I collaborated with carpenters to design, build, and finish custom furnishings for affluent clients. I work on projects for business, architecture, and design firms, as well as private homeowners. We construct furniture with veneer and cabinetry techniques. The shop is best known for its large-scale conference tables, but we build anything to order. I have made kitchen cabinets, lecterns, credenzas, vanities, buffets, reception desks, and custom paneling for tables. I collaborate with a three-man team that executes and completes custom designs, but I also manage all metals and steel fabrication needs. This group also delivers and installs our finished work from the shop. I complete any CAD or CNC drawings for third-party cutting. While employed here I have worked on these select artworks:

Arkansas Museum of Fine Art in Little Rock

Governors of Arkansas’s cabinet room table

Children’s Hospital boardroom

Baptist Hospital boardroom

Murphy USA boardroom

Arkansas Department of Heritage conference table

Arkansas Department of Agriculture conference table

MEMS boardroom

American Taekwondo Association conference table

JB Hunt boardroom

CJRW conference table

The University of Arkansas Athletic Department student-athlete signing table

Bank of the Ozark Boardroom

Simons Bank Boardroom

Fay Jones, Pine Knoll dining table


6. Arkansas Aviation Historical Society – Aerospace Education Center – 3301 E Roosevelt Rd, Little Rock, AR 72206 

Guest Services Coordinator & Planetarium Projectionist, August 2009 – January 1, 2011

Facilitating the sale of Aviation Museum and IMAX theatre Admission.  Lead Aviation museum tours.  Documented and maintained appointments for schools, churches, and other organizations to visit the Center.  Then, place the appointment information into the company database for billing and records.  Managing retail and concessions sales.  Cataloged merchandise. Ordered and maintained adequate inventory for our customer base.


 

Professional Accomplishments