The Boy Writer As Seen Through Paint, Portrait, & Pen
Home | Introduction | Favorite Links | Photos of Me | The End of an Era: "Graduation" Party @ Sharkey's | My Photography | My Artwork | My Poetry | The Shortest Dynasty: 1837-1947 | My Girls I | My Girls II - The Sharkey's Harem | My Boys | Contact Me
Introduction

I've never been too good at telling about myself, so bear with me on this one... I'm 27 years old and about to leave Radford Univeristy after having studied English with minors in History and Interior Design for the past four years. Random combination, I know... I am a native of Manassas, Virginia, where my parents still reside.  In July 2004 I will finally be leaving Virginia and moving to Philadelphia to pursue a career in historic research and writing.

I am an aspiring writer, having my first book published in the summer of 2002 and a second edition in the summer of 2003.  I have a few other projects in the works, including a book of poetry and two historical fiction books, which I dabble with here and there.  In addition to writing, I also paint, work with photography, and sculpt.
 
My sources of inspiration vary greatly depending on my moods and surroundings.  One of the biggest influences has been my study of Walt Whitman and Leaves of Grass.  I wrote my senior thesis on Whitman, examining three different points of study no one has ever connected before.  In the paper, I showed how his relationship with Fred Vaughan caused him to write the "Live Oak, with Moss" sequence of twelve poems.  Shortly before they were to be published in the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass, however, Whitman realized that the poems were too revealing of his personal self.  He broke the sequence and rearranged the poems, even rewording some, and a majority of them ultimately became the heart of the newly-created "Calamus" section. 
 
Some people have expressed an interest in reading the paper, which I will gladly provide.  At the suggestion of my professor and advisor, I am currently expanding on the paper to try and get it perfect for publication in the Walt Whitman Quarterly.  I have included a copy of my senior thesis and the paper that served as the basis for the thesis on the site.  When the expanded paper is finally finished, I will post a copy of here, as well.  To read the senior thesis, click here or to read the paper that served as the basis for my thesis, click here.
 
Different types of music can have a profound effect on my work, as well.  When it comes to painting and sculpting, I find my greatest inspiration comes from dreams and random, little things I notice in life.  It may not be much, but it's my way of expressing my emotions and creativity.

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What a job!

In the summer of 2003, I was fortunate enough to get an internship with the City of Manassas in the Office of Community Development.  Working as an Historic Preservation Planner, I worked with historic sites surveys, as well as creating an endangered structures list (similar to the 11 Most Endangered Sites list put out by the National Trust for Historic Preservation each year).  The internship helped me realize my niche in life and was a truly rewarding experience.  Not only that, but I had the privilege to work with some of the greatest people ever!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Movies:
Kill Bill, Cider House Rules, Bring It On, The Sweetest Thing, Steel Magnolias, Charlie's Angels, Tomb Raider, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and anything with Jennifer Coolidge in it

TV:
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Nip/Tuck, Simpsons, Will & Grace, Law & Order: SVU, SpongeBob, Crossing Jordan, America's Castles, most anything on History Channel, and a few things here and there on HGTV and A&E.

Music Genres:
Pretty much everything except metal, rap, and most country

Music Artists:
Michael Buble', Missy, Madonna, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Robbie Williams, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, William Orbit, Linkin Park, Coldplay, Lil' Kim, Shirley Bassey, and Pet Shop Boys.

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Walt Whitman, c.1855