Biography

When I was young, Jim Henson was my biggest influence. I thought of becoming a set designer, so I built furnished worlds inside shoeboxes. Everything was anthropomorphized. I later found appreciation in drawing some comics and illustrating scenes. I discovered Moebius, a master comic artist, by accident and emulated his unique and fearless visual storytelling.
I later went to school at Ohio University, focusing on Ornithology and Entomology for my Bachelor’s degree. I am a visual learner, so I drew pictures to take notes when I could. A grad student saw these and had me hired to illustrate for a paleo-botanist. I drew bones and plants in the basement of a repurposed mental asylum the university acquired. This led to many illustration jobs with other professors, grad students, and a student-rag (newspaper).
Different careers have informed my work. The illustration trade was changing to digital, but I picked up creative work where I could. I worked as the ceramics and crafting lead at a boys camp in North Carolina, spent 2 years in the Peace Corps, and contracted as a NOAA fisheries observer in Alaska. During each of these adventures, I found ways to apply my creative skillset.
Here in Seattle, most of my energy tends to focus on oil paintings, but I stay very active in the arts community. I have been the volunteer artwork curator at Lighthouse Roasters for many years. I have taught at many of the art schools in the Seattle area and sometimes teach workshops in the region. I have painted murals around the city and was awarded a public art contract at a community center through the Mayor’s Office of Art & Cultural Affairs 1% for Art. I am generally a restless soul who tries to give my best to the world.

STATEMENT

When I was young, Jim Henson was my biggest influence. I imagined becoming a set designer, which led me to build small furnished worlds inside shoeboxes. Everything became anthropomorphized. I later developed an appreciation for drawing comics and illustrating scenes. By accident I discovered Moebius, whose fearless and singular approach to visual storytelling inspired me deeply, and I tried to emulate his style.

I eventually attended Ohio University, focusing on ornithology and entomology for my bachelor’s degree. Being a visual learner, I took notes by drawing whenever possible. A graduate student noticed my illustrations and arranged for me to be hired to work for a paleo botanist. I spent hours in the basement of a repurposed mental asylum the university had acquired, drawing bones and plants. That job led to many other illustration projects for professors, grad students, and the student newspaper.

Different careers have shaped my work. As illustration shifted toward digital tools, I found creative work wherever I could. I served as the ceramics and crafting lead at a boys’ camp in North Carolina, spent two years in the Peace Corps, and worked as a NOAA fisheries observer in Alaska. Throughout each of these experiences, I found ways to continue using my creative skillset.

Here in Seattle, most of my focus is on oil painting, though I remain very active in the arts community. I have volunteered as the artwork curator at Lighthouse Roasters for many years. I have taught at numerous art schools in the Seattle area and occasionally lead workshops throughout the region. I have painted murals around the city and was awarded a public art commission for a community center through the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art program. I am, in general, a restless soul who tries to give my best to the world.