About

I was born in New Brunswick, NJ on June 3, 1970. I grew up in Linden, NJ and graduated from Linden High School in 1988. I attended the DuCret School Of Art in Plainfield, NJ from 1988 - 1994. 

As far back as I can recall, I was always drawing, painting or designing something. Creating anything artistic always had my interest. At the age of 8, my grandfather, Ronald D'Agui (an artist himself), taught me how to draw human faces. It was like showing me magic. He was a painter of both landscapes and portraits. From that point on I took drawing much more seriously. I drew constantly and was soon gaining artistic recognition in grammar school by the 4th grade. My 1st real exposure to art was in 1979 when my mother brought me to the Museum Of Modern Art (M.O.M.A) in NYC to view Pablo Picasso's masterpiece, GUERNICA. I can still remember everyone's reaction to the painting's power which had a lasting effect on me.   

By high school in the 1980's, I had started painting but was still only self taught. During that time, painted denim jackets were very popular. I had numerous commissions by fellow classmates for paintings of whatever popular music they were listening to at the time. They were great promotional tools as they were being worn. It was also a great way to make friends, not just money. 

It was also during the 1980's that I first experienced the Grateful Dead & psychedelics. Both of which impacted me profoundly. They also set the course for the future as how my life was to unfold. Many shows later, my earliest experiences in that community remain as some of the most special times in my life. I'll forever be Grateful that I got to dance to Jerry Garcia. 

After graduating high school, I enrolled at the DuCret School Of Art in Plainfield, NJ during the Fall of 1988. I studied there for six years majoring in fine art, illustration and oil painting. Making the transition from self taught to studying under classically trained professionals, was both a fun & fascinating journery. 

A pivotal moment for me artistically came in 1990 when I began studying oil painting/illustration under the late, great Peter Caras. A world renowned illustrator with thousands of published works in many high-profile publications. He was a living legend who studied under Norman Rockwell and James Bama. I learned more from Mr. Caras than all the teachers I've had throughout my life. I studied under him for 4 years. He was a dear friend and a tremendous inspiration for so many painters. 

Less than a year after studying under Mr. Caras, came my 1st published piece of art. While at a show in Spring 1991, the editors of the Grateful Dead inspired magazine RELIX had stopped me after noticing the Grateful Dead painted denim jacket I was wearing. They immediately offered me a job on their art staff. My 1st design for RELIX was a portrait of the Grateful Dead featured on the inside back cover for their special "Year-End" issue. I was published again in RELIX the following year as part of a special Grateful Dead art feature.

It was during that same Spring when I first experienced Phish, still an unsigned band at the time. It was like a mini Grateful Dead concert with everyone either my age, or close to, in attendance. That experience, and many more to follow, inspired me in creating Phish art that both reflected and connected me to it.

After seeing one of my paintings, Phish bassist Mike Gordon had contacted me regarding designing new art for the band. From that contact, I then created several preliminary designs that were presented to them backstage at Sugarbush in 1994. Soon after, editors for the Phish inspred book, THE PHARMER'S ALMANAC commisioned me to design several covers for their numerous volumes.

During Phish's 1997 NYE run at MSG, I spoke with Mike Gordon once again backstage, presenting him an unfinished oil painting - a portrait of him from the preliminary designs shown in 1994. He loved it and immediately showed it to Trey, Page and Jon who all suggested it to be used as an upcoming Phish album cover. Although that never crystalized, it was still an exciting night. 

In early 1999, while working at famed NYC nightclub - The Wetlands Preserve, I met Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir following his performance. He was then shown my unfinished JERRY & PIGPEN oil painting which he immediately wanted for his collection once completed. It was one of the greatest nights of my life. I went on to paint several more pieces for his personal collection and a t-shirt design for his solo band, RATDOG. It was the 1st time he allowed his own likeness on a t-shirt. That original painting was put on display inside several RATDOG events. 

From 2000 on, I've had several exhibitions of my work at various music festivals ranging from GATHERING OF THE VIBES, PEACH FESTIVAL to LOCKN' and bi-coastal tours with Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra from 2014 - 2017.

In 2014, I worked on the official Grateful Dead documentary, LONG STRANGE TRIP as both film archival researcher & consultant. The film was directed by Amir Bar-Lev with Martin Scorsese as executive producer. It was released in 2017.  

For over 3 decades, thousands of prints of my art have hung on the walls of Deadheads everywhere, including the historic 710 Ashbury St. in San Francisco, original home of the Grateful Dead.

Today, I'm still painting and exhibiiting my work at various arts & music events. I'm also taking photographs and making short films as well.  

Photo by Sue Haefner