I began my artist journey in scrap metal art in 2015, when I began dismantling typewriters and sewing machines in my basement to occupy my mind and my hands. Some of my combat experiences in Mogadishu left a powerful impact on my mental health, and I needed a positive outlet when the nightmares woke me up and I could not go back to sleep. After disassembling these machines, I used the harvested components and created my first projects, small simple bolted and riveted figures.

My career as a Seabee led to becoming an ironworker high above Chicago, and I put those welding skills to use by buying a 110v stick welder and a four-inch angle grinder to create my “Metal Health Artwork” I spent a few years researching size, symmetry, and movement and began applying my ideas in my work. In October 2018 I had my first experience sharing my art in public at a Chicago Veterans art show and I felt a sense of belonging with the talented veteran artists I met there. Since then, I have found a deep sense of purpose in sharing my journey and inspiring other veterans to find the healing power of art for themselves.

I have proudly displayed my upcycled sculptures at the Illinois State Museum, The Library of Congress, The Joliet Historical Society, The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, Scrapfest Metal Art Festival in Lansing, Michigan, and online as a featured Veteran Artist with a special commissioned sculpture prominently displayed on the Google search page and installed in their HQ at St Johns Terminal in New York City.

I installed my first public sculpture in Yorkville, Illinois at the behest of the Art organization PLAY, where I created a 7 x 9-foot angel wing sculpture from upcycled tools and farming implements from local farmsteads. The Angel wings are named “The Heavy Heart” as a memorial to departed loved ones, and the sculpture is mounted onto a historic building that invites passersby to pose for photos.

As an emerging artist, I would like to take the next step on my journey and find opportunities to create and share more public art installations.