CURRENT MISSION

To become a great artist before I die

ABOUT ME

Until I was 35, I was a journalist. Then, I became an artist. Thus, my life has been divided into before and after ... :) Truly, I am a person who loves a stimulating and intelligent conversation, a good laugh, a good beer and good company.

Currently, I live and work in Budapest. Have been here for ten months, and work in a new studio space-art school an American artist and I established in February. Interested in taking a class? Check it out at www.szivstudios.com.

I am American, grew up in Seattle, Washington and worked as a journalist all over the country. Spent four years living in Asia -- Hong Kong and Mongolia, as well as a lot of travel through China and Southeast Asia. Then I lived in Seattle again for a few years, traveling often for work to the Caucases(Armenia and Georgia).

Last year, I decided to move out of the U.S. permanently, and am kicking around Eastern Europe trying to decide where to find a new home.

PHILOSOPHY

Becoming your best self/soul isn't always easy, but it's the most important work you do. When you heal yourself, you heal the world!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've just joined couchsurfing recently, and haven't yet had a chance to participate. But I've heard good things and am interested in trying it out.

Interests

Art -- seeing it, learning about it, reading it, and most importantly doing it is incredibly important to me. As well, I am studying herbal medicine right now. I love to read, to walk around, to talk with people deeply (as opposed to superficial conversaion).

• arts
• beer
• reading
• traveling
• journalism
• medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm not a movie watcher, really, but I love to read! I'm a big fan of Russian writers -- Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Bulgakov. But I really like any novel with a good story.

Just finished "The History of Love" by Nicole Krauss (fabulous!) and "Everything is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safen Foer (sp?). My god. I approached this book with total skepticism -- never thought a 26 year old American guy could have anything interesting to say. I was wrong. I love that!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was working with journalists in the Rep. of Georgia in 2003 when the rose-petal revolution happened, and there was a non-violent but powerful protest to corrupt elections that resulted in a change in government. I never though I would see the day!

Teach, Learn, Share

I have practiced and still teach journalism for years, to adults and children. I teach art at Sziv Studios in Budapest (www.szivstudios.com).
I am studying herbal medicine right now.

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