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Raised on a diet of Walt Disney World, Ray Harryhausen films, H.P. Lovecraft novels, comics, and Florida tourist traps, Pooch paints images that seem to exist in a bizarre afterlife. Early on, Pooch was exposed to artists and illustrators, such as Frank Frazetta, M.C. Escher, Dali, Bosch, and H.R. Giger.

Working in different series allows Pooch the freedom to explore various cultural symbols, but also keeps him inspired to dig deeper into those respective subjects. His earlier works are in oil, containing architectural elements and sinuously carved statue-like figures in static display. Newer works are in acrylic and reflect his exposure to Disney World and Florida theme parks, with surreal carnival ride facades decorated with symbolic figures of death from Tibetan rituals to the Mexican Day of the Dead Festival.

Pooch's paintings are intended to hold the viewer's attention, which is quite a challenge in today's media-saturated age. Holding the old masters in high regard, he has a strong respect for Flemish painters such as Bosch and Van Eyk, and modern artists such as Todd Schorr, Joe Coleman, Mark Ryden, and Robe.

A self- taught artist, Pooch owes much of his painting skills to over ten years of daily tattooing and drawing. His art is a visual cocktail of Far East mysteries and the magic of European painting with a shot of tattoo culture, shaken and stirred, and served up in a souvenir tiki skull.

View more images! Take a look at Artkrush's most recent slideshow and Activate's The Week in Pictures.