‘create’ at The Cleveland Institute of Art
@CLEInstituteArt
Story Time: I was born/raised in the 157 (as I call it) — on the West Side of Cleveland. I was the youngest of three kids and, like most youngest siblings, I tested my parents’ patience and tried to get away with a lot of crazy stuff. “Tried” being the key word. I failed at times, got caught often, and was grounded a lot. A lot! However, I am beyond certain that time in isolation/solitary confinement helped forge the dreamer I am today. While grounded, I read a lot. I was a comic book kid and was fascinated with both the art and story in those pages. I started to write my own tales and also started sketching. All of it was the catalyst for who I am today. All of it eventually led to WRDSMTH.
Flash forward to this. Wow. WOW. If you told me at any juncture in my life that one day I’d be coming back to Cleveland to paint on the outside wall of The Cleveland Institute of Art, my response would have been, “Oof. Do I get caught? And how long do I have to spend in solitary confinement?” Seriously.
Being asked by the Art Institute and the city to grace this building with my WRDs and my work is beyond thrilling. This comic book kid was smiling wide while painting this one. True story. And to my parents: Mom and Dad, thank you for grounding me so often. The action also grounded me in a reality where WRDSMTH happened and continues to happen.
MUCH thanks to @GraffitiHeArt1 , the organization responsible for bringing me home to Cleveland for this amazing week-long tour and for making this work a reality. The piece is located at 11610 Euclid Avenue.
#WRDSMTH #WRDSMTHinCleveland #CLE
#GraffitiHeArt #HowDoILoveTheeTour
@cleinstituteart
may the fourth be with you. always.
Just a few of the Star Wars themed pieces I’ve done through the years. #MayTheFourthBeWithYou ⚔️
#WRDSMTH #StarWars #MayTheFourth2026
‘forever youth’ in Phoenix, Arizona
Footage of the second school in PHX I installed at last week. Eleven foot versions of ‘Aspire2’ and ‘DreamBigge(r)’ bookend six pillars featuring ten foot high inspiring words on both sides. One side boasts some of my favorite words and the other showcases the school’s spirit words — POSITIVE RESPECT INTEGRITY DETERMINATION EMPATHY + KINDNESS.
I always love and always jump at the chance to paint at schools — anywhere/everywhere on this big blue marble. The thought of inspiring a younger generation with my WRDs brings a smile to my face and hope to the table. Big thanks to my friends @markrothkowitz and @codilyn85 for paving the way in the PHX school districts. We’re 4 schools and 25+ pieces deep now. Can’t wait to add even more…
#WRDSMTH #WRDSMTHinPHX 🚀
aspire2inspire kids/students/younger generations in Phoenix, Arizona
I always love and always jump at the chance to paint at schools — anywhere/everywhere on this big blue marble. The thought of inspiring a younger generation with my WRDs brings a smile to my face and hope to the table. Big thanks to my friends @markrothkowitz and @codilyn85 for paving the way in the PHX school districts. We’re 4 schools and 25+ pieces deep now. Can’t wait to add even more…
#WRDSMTH #WRDSMTHinPHX 🚀
