When I was young, I was surrounded by stories and storytellers.
I consumed stories in the form of picture books, comics, TV and movies, as well as hearing grand epic adventures from my parents' and grandparents' pasts. I couldn’t help but be inspired and I created my own characters and stories the moment I could hold a crayon. It was my Grandma LaRocca who, while watching Star Trek together, encouraged me to draw what I saw—which at that moment was some ridge-headed aliens. I was very fortunate to know—not think, but know for certain—that when I grew up I wanted to draw, paint and tell stories.
Growing up in a tiny town in Massachusetts and spending summers in a tinier village in Cape Cod, I gave myself a slight change of scenery by attending art school at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. And that is where I fell in love with watercolor. After graduating, I moved to New York City where I would spend the next sixteen years teaching and becoming a picture book illustrator.
I have been teaching in some capacity ever since I was sixteen instructing children how to swim in the wild waters of Squeteague Harbor. I truly love teaching and taught in a variety of places in the city before settling in as a teacher at Park Children’s Day School, an absolutely wonderful pre-school. In 2012, after many almosts and nearly-made-its as an author and illustrator, I published my first picture book, Monster Hunter, with Sky Pony Press. Shortly after, I sold my epic graphic novel trilogy Second Heroes to Dial Books for Young Readers which were released in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
I am incredibly proud of my picture book and graphic novel work and I loved creating them. However, the sheer avalanche of work that it took to write, pencil, ink and watercolor each and every page took a mental and physical toll that I did not anticipate. I literally worked and stressed myself sick. And I needed a reprieve.
I found solace, comfort, and—perhaps most importantly—a healthy challenge in painting the place that I feel most at home: Cape Cod. I threw myself into more intimately learning the craft and intricacies of watercolor. I have been thrilled with the absolute joy and terror of this unruly and unforgiving medium.
I have often been torn about who I want to establish myself as in the realm of art—Children’s Book Creator? Graphic Novelist? Fine Artist? Art Teacher? After a few decades of experience, I've decided I’d like to be all of it. At the end of the day, it’s all storytelling. Every panel, every word, every stroke, every wash helps tell that story. So I will be a Storyteller.
In 2021, my wife Raydene and I moved from NYC to Cape Cod where I paint full time. I am currently focusing on painting landscapes and nautical art, injecting a little dreaminess into the world around me. I continue to teach my own art lessons with the goal of instilling in students confidence and the importance of not being afraid to fail. I have many stories that I will tell one day. Until then, I will continue to ride the watercolor waves to wherever they take me.
Services
Fine Art Watercolor
Watercolor Commissions
Private & Group Lessons