For as long as I can remember, I've loved to draw. Some of my earliest memories are of my grandmother sitting with me, drawing while she babysat me. I was probably around three years old, and those quiet moments sparked something that has stayed with me ever since.
For a little perspective, I grew up in a very rural part of Virginia, right in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. I like to joke that my childhood was a daily lesson in "glamping" before anyone called it that. Step outside our front door, and you were immediately surrounded by woods. It was a wonderful place to grow up but not exactly overflowing with opportunities to experience art.
Even so, I was always drawn to visual storytelling. I devoured books filled with illustrations: Dr. Seuss, Peanuts, Jack Tales, and eventually comic books. I was incredibly fortunate that some of my earliest comics featured the work of legendary artists Jack Kirby, John Byrne and George Pérez. I couldn't read yet, but it didn't matter. I could follow the stories through the artwork alone, and to me, every page was magical.
In high school, my understanding of art changed dramatically when I discovered Al Williamson and Frank Frazetta. Williamson elevated pen and ink to a level I had never imagined possible, while Frazetta had an unmatched ability to capture raw power, movement, and emotion in a single image. Their work didn't just inspire me—it expanded my understanding of what art could communicate.
College only widened that perspective. I was introduced to countless artists, illustrators, and designers, each with a unique voice and vision. There are far too many to name, and I'm still discovering new influences every day. That's one of the things I love most about art: there's always something new to learn, admire, and explore.
After a long career creating design, illustration, and web applications for corporate America, I've finally reached a point where I can devote more of my time to making the kind of art and illustrations I've loved since I was a child. It feels like coming full circle—returning to the joy that first began with a pencil, a piece of paper, and my grandmother by my side.