About me

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I became a graphic designer because I like to create for people or projects. I use fine arts techniques such as drawing, painting, and printmaking to create digital images, usually in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. These images can then be moved to various media such as printed magazines, clothing, or websites. 

During my first degree, I was focused on three-dimensional media such as ceramics and bronze sculptures, with a focus on ceramics. Specifically, functional pottery. At some point I read the statement “Gallery artists would kill to have the same time with someone viewing their work as a potter does with someone that uses their favorite handmade mug every morning.” This works just as well with graphic design because a client that asks for a logo or branding will be involved with my work for a long time. Collaborating with clients helps me go in directions I might not go, expanding my range and abilities. 

To create a piece, I usually start with various sketches and variations of layouts to find which is the best. Once I find the right design layout, I will do a more finished pencil drawing. Depending on what the finished style is, I will either scan the sketch and use digital tools to build it, or I will finish the sketch with pens or paint. Once the handwork is done, those are scanned and moved into photoshop for further work. I prefer using hand tools such as pen and paper or paint to begin creating pieces because it helps to preserve some of the character of the handmade. Hand drawn outlines contain all the tiny imperfections that something outlined with a computer do not. I like to add textures to my illustration work with photographs of real-life textures. Even machine-made fabric has variations and imperfections when you get close enough. I layer those textures onto the digital colors to add interest and color variations that become apparent the closer you get to them. 

In my personal work, I like to explore folklore, mythology, occult imagery, and botany, and sometimes all of those at once. One of my recent projects takes the text of the witches’ chant from Shakespeare's Macbeth. I pulled the plant ingredient names such as eye of newt and created seed packets for them featuring a wrought iron inspired border with surrealist inspired illustrations and hand drawn text. While eye of newt is a folk name for mustard seed, I thought it would be amusing to create a plant that had newt’s eyes in the flowers. 

I appreciate most styles of design throughout history, but my favorites are engravings and woodcuts by Albrecht Durer and the works of Alfonse Mucha. My favorite art movements would have to be Dadaism and Surrealism. There is also a bit of influence from the “Far Side” comics in a few illustration pieces. I have also been experimenting with including hand drawn typography in my works based off the work of Ed Fella and Paula Scher. 

I create art to evoke emotions and feelings in people who interact with my work. Whether that feeling is the comfort of having morning coffee with a favorite mug that feels just right, the shock and humor of a plant that has eyes, or how a particular brand feels to you is all the same. Creating something that causes someone to stop and look or interact is the greatest achievement an artist can reach in this modern world where everything is vying for attention.