CH.89: If you were to categorize or describe the style of your artwork, what would it be and why?

TC: I work in alot of different styles but my carved/ painted/ gilded wood reliefs generally are filled up with lots of visual information: this ranges from organic to technological type forms. All this said, I do often feel like a different artist everyday.

CH.89: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

TC: I draw my inspiration from the process of working itself, I often start with a general idea of what I’m going to do and this can change a lot from where it started.

CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about what your creative thought process is like when starting a new project/ piece of artwork?

TC: I often start with a drawing on the piece of wood first, and then proceed from there. I’d say in general, my thought process is a kind of “non thinking” about it, I try to let it flow.

CH.89: Is there anything in particular that you would want people to take from your artwork?

TC: I like the idea of people feeling better about themselves or feeling “high” after experiencing it.

CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about your lifestyle as an artist and what that is like?

TC: I’m not sure how to answer this as I’ve never experienced myself in a way where I could describe what it’s like.

CH.89: When starting out an artistic task, do you think it is better to have a particular direction/set plan guiding your way? Or, is it better to act on impulse and go from there?

TC: This is not an either/or but is for me a combination of both.

CH.89: What is one major lesson you’ve learned as an artist thus far?

TC: That it is a highly unpredictable job, you never know if a piece is going to work out and it is impossible to know whether what you are doing will connect with people when they see it later on.

CH.89: Do you regard personal style & taste to be of highest importance?

TC: I think personal style and taste are important, but they don’t have anything to do with the creative process for me.

CH.89: What do you consider to be the hardest thing about being an artist?

TC: I’d say the unpredictability, the unreliability of whether things will be received well by others.

CH.89: What is one thing you love about being an artist?

TC: Being able to do my own thing, generally.

CH.89: Is there anyone in particular, any artist’s that inspire you in any way?

TC: Almost everything inspires me, including many artists too numerous to mention.

CH.89: What do you think of technology in terms of being a useful tool for artists today?

TC: I have used photoshop as a visual aid and see nothing wrong with using technology as long as it does not take over and start using you.

CH.89: Do you think being an artist allows you to view the world differently from those who don’t follow creative paths?

TC: I wouldn’t know because I think everyone is creative in some or many ways. The art of cooking, medicine, law, etc. anything in a way can be an art. We are all special artists in a way.

CH.89: Do you enjoy traveling? If so, do you have a favorite city?

TC: I like to travel. I like Paris, London, Calcutta, Mysore, Los Angeles, Nature, Oregon Coast, Columbia gorge.

CH.89: Do you have a favorite author or book?

TC: I mainly read non fiction. I like William Burroughs, Gary Snyder, and the beats in general.

CH.89: Any future goals or plans for your artwork?

TC: Not that I know of now.

CH.89: What does being an artist mean to you?

TC: There is no meaning outside of the meaning I give it or the meaning a viewer has for it when they are looking at it.

CH.89: What’s the last song you listened to?

TC: I listened to Ravi Shankara Live at Monterey Pop recently.

CH.89: Any last words on the aesthetic of your artwork?

TC: My art strives for emotional content.

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