The story of Ray, according to Ray:

"I went to Art College 25 years ago and because of a general lack of good sense and bad guidance counseling ended up studying Interior Design. I was thrown out for an embarrassing incident late one evening when I thought I was alone. I then somehow got into Medical Graphics and spent 15 years in a art and photography department at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and to this day my art is defined by the wonderful miracles and great sadness I saw in this amazing place.

Some years later I ended up working as a digital animator and 3d matt artist at GVFX in Toronto. After a few years I was told that I was nominated for an Emmy, I had no idea what that was but I got a great trip to California out of it plus the use of a rented tuxedo which was unfortunately returned in a very poor condition. I still miss the cummerbund and wish current fashion trends would bring it back. I didn't win the Emmy thing, Star trek did.

I then had to quit the FX biz because one day my Mother visited me, which was slightly unusual because she had passed away some months before, a victim to the cigarette habit she could never quite lick. Facing a wall and slowly turning I saw the right side of her face ablaze in light, her hand trying to cover the light as if she were apologetic for having it seep through, words were said about following rabbits down holes and I was shown galleries of work which were to be my own.

I have been sitting in my living the last 3 years listening to Etta James and making a series of images called "Messengers." I will have my first show at Tin Man Alley in Philadelphia in the New Year. I am married to an amazingly understanding person and to a half dog/coyote that sees me as his major competition for all the good things in life."

See more of Ray Caesar's art at his website, or drop him an e-mail.

©2004 Huge Magazine