MEET THE ARTIST
During the winter of 2014, I bought an acrylic art set for a friend’s daughter and we had more fun than I could have imagined. A new passion was born.
I listen to music while painting. The familiar lyrics and melodies of lifelong favorites bring on a simpler state of mind. I consider my paintings to be sculptures. I use oil, acrylic, ink, sand, pastes and gels. I am fascinated by how they marry overnight, and assume new forms as they dry. I get lost in another temporality. I want something within me to speak through my strokes.
I see my photography as a natural complement to the textures and colors of my abstract canvases.
August 1961 - August 1979
September 1979 - May 1983
June 1983 - June 2008
June 2008 - Current
I was born in Brooklyn on August 13, 1961 and moved to Staten Island when the Verrazano Bridge opened in 1966. I attended Monsignor Farrell H.S. and Fordham University in the Bronx.
I discovered Wall Street while looking for a job over Christmas break of my freshman year. I was hired by Lehman Brothers where, at 6'3" with a deep voice, I blended in for the next 3 ½ years. My 90 minute commute took me on the 1970's era D Train from the Bronx to the Financial District. On graduation, I applied to Salomon Brothers. During my interview one of the partners accused me of being glib, but I did not know the meaning of that particular four-letter word. I answered that if I did not know something I would work to find out. It was the right answer. I was hired into Salomon's renowned program.
I became an equity trader at Salomon, which was in those days like playing center field for the Yankees. In 1987 my mentor recruited me to join Drexel Burnham, where I stayed until the firm's demise in 1990. I then co-founded the hedge fund, Blair Manfredonia LP, which preceded a 10-year stay at Merrill Lynch, where I ran Wall Street’s largest trading desk. During this period, I was elected to chair industry committees involving the NYSE and FINRA. Subsequent to the disastrous experience of 9/11, I was recruited to run trading at Bear Stearns in midtown until the financial crisis of 2008.
Wall Street changed. After several intermediate roles, I decided to follow my passion to mentor young adults. I had worked with the homeless youth of Covenant House for three decades and decided to formalize that experience by becoming an educator. I have since taught at a charter high school, was the Interim Head at a school for severely disabled children, and taught in Manhattan’s private schools. I am now a professor at Fordham University, where I teach Finance and ESG/Sustainability. I am on several advisory boards and manage money for individuals. I am the very fortunate father of three. Lavallette, NJ is my favorite place.