One Dove Art

Where It All Came From

Before there was paint, canvas and jewelry there was music.

My big brother Tommy taught me how to listen to music when I was 11. One of the biggest gifts of my life. When he turned 16 he would come pick me up in his VW Beetle and we would drive around Athens listening to music. He showed me how to listen for the little gems in songs that most people don’t hear. Like a tiny handclap, an oddly but wonderfully placed drum beat or a subtle harmony that’s almost hidden behind a guitar riff. I still listen and dissect songs down to every nuance of sound.

My big brother

Greg Kaegen– Trusting my instincts

Greg has been a best friend since 1987. He is a wildly talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He patiently answers all of my crazy musical questions about about song parts, music theory and why the 7th note harmony hits me right in the gut every time. Through countless conversations about music he has taught me to listen to my own instincts. That lesson has found its way into every painting I create

Greg Kising – Always honesty

A best friend for decades, He is my loudest cheerleader that has always given me faith, patience and trust in my brush strokes. He believes in me and makes sure that I believe in myself. He is also a bit of a music fan, he has around 6000 vinyl records in his collection.

Carrie Karas-My soul sister – since 1990. She has spent her entire career in the entertainment/music industry and has given me countless opportunities to experience concerts, music festivals and unforgettable moments from the inside out. But that’s not why she’s here. Carrie knows me inside and out. When I first moved to Atlanta I was afraid to sleep alone, I would call Carrie in the middle of the night and she would drive to my apartment, get in the bed, give me a hug and say “it’s ok, go to sleep”. She has always encouraged me to trust myself even when I couldn’t. Every artist needs someone who believes in them on the days when they don’t believe in themselves. Carrie has been that person for me for more than 3 decades.

Harry Nilsson – Just go for it

Harry showed me that disorder is okay. That following the traditional rules of balance and proportion is optional and that climbing out on a shaky limb is often where you get the best view. Art doesn’t have to stay in one lane, if something feels too playful, too strange or unexpected I don’t pull back anymore. I lean into it with everything I’ve got.

Freddie Mercury-An absolute powerhouse, musical genius that has taught me to trust myself with strength and conviction. He taught me to sing in Japanese, he has made me cry crocodile tears and laugh until my stomach hurts. He chooses to let his voice crack sometimes which gives me courage to leave in a brush stroke and not paint over to fix every mistake. Those mistakes are real and they show the viewer that this painting you see was made by a human.