The Kid at Villanova

In 1983 a man named Jake Nevin told me to meet him at the Villanova field house to watch the Wildcats basketball team practice. At that time he introduced me to all of the coaches and players. For a 13-year-old local kid this was a big deal. My head was spinning. At the end of that practice Jake said, "I will see you tomorrow …. as soon as you are done your homework." For the next 4-5 years I attended Villanova’s basketball practice almost every day. Sitting on the bench watching world class student athletes being coached, trained, pushed and pulled as a team was a beautiful thing to watch.  Looking back I now realize that Villanova was an escape for me. Not that home was a bad place…. quite the opposite. Trust me growing up 50 yards behind Kelly’s Bar had it’s advantages!!  I was a kid who was always searching for that exciting experience. I was awed by the wonders of life and this was a slice of life I had never witnessed. Villanova was the first place in my life that I really started to build my own identity. I was just a 13-18 year old boy then, but those experiences, lessons, friendships and relationships still affect me and my artwork today.

As a man and an artist I find I am still searching for the wonders of life. Rarely is there a day that goes by that I do no think of the Villanova community. It might be the  memory of a girl from many years ago (who I probably neglected to tell my wife about), a practice, a game, a player, Jake Nevin, a cheerleader, a coach, a priest or professor who broke down what the law or philosophy was all about over a soda at the Connelly Center. Even though I never attended a class, Villanova University is very much a part of who I am.

I recently had a private art showing at the home of a prominent Villanova supporter. From this one show I am now booking dates for private art shows/cocktail parties around the country. These showcases will be at the homes of  people who like my work.  I will be taking my artwork on tour to places like Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Indianapolis, Louisville, The Hamptons and anywhere else that people want to see my work. Since I am doing this solo this will be a no frills tour.  It will be called "FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN..." The tours title is my little way to say thank you to Villanova University and all Wildcats.  I was that kid from the outside that they took in when they did not have to.   

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY and THE WILDCATS ... THANK YOU!!!!