Born in 1984 in Oneonta, New York, Friedman spent his childhood by-passing the real world and resorting to daydreaming and drawing. At eighteen, upon graduating from high school, he moved to Brooklyn to study commercial art at The Pratt Art Institute. Following four years of illustration and typography studies, he earned his livelihood by realizing commercial artwork for companies and publications such as Nike and The New York Times. Nevertheless, during that period, his personal practice focused on painting. Eventually, he decided to move on from commercial affairs and engage in activities with other artists, which would ultimately contribute to his art. Taking advantage of his applied art beginnings, Friedman has embraced techniques, traditions, tools and materials of commercial art trades. While negotiating their incorporation in proper artworks, Friedman uses these skills as an initial basis to freely compose visually striking works. He finds inspiration in other great artists with similar approach such as De Kooning, Leger, Lichtenstein, Lewitt, and Westermann.