I am a native of the Gulf Coast and moved to Birmingham for college.   I was taught how to paint with brushes but I’ve never enjoyed using them that much.  Preferring a rougher look lets me get away with using my hands and other utensils. The things I make are always abstract and only sometimes representational.  I try to use mixed media to create something with texture and interest.  Layering paint, paper and other scraps usually does the trick. I don’t always have a full plan of attack but it seems to come together eventually.  I like my art like I like my friends—complicated; layers add that and maybe even a little mystery, but in a short cut kind of way.