About:
I grew up in rural Wisconsin in the 1970’s and 80’s. I am the youngest of five children, the fourth being my identical twin brother. I spent my time immersed in my imagination while rambling through the woods, somewhat alone, on my parent’s property. I learned the names of trees, observed (sometimes invasively) colonies of ants, squirrels, birds, and deer, and ran from the occasional hawk. The woods fascinated, inspired, and terrified me.
In high school, I studied music and took a few art courses, all the while wandering aimlessly, content to live inside my head. I received an associate arts degree from Cornerstone College and a Bachelor of Music from Millikin University. The focus of my college years was on music, but throughout this time I continued to create visual art as well.
After graduation I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, with hopes of taking a job with a specific record company. But, as with many small companies, it was bought and eventually shut down. I decided to give up performance as a career because it was no longer fulfilling to me. I began pursuing art again.
Through small steps and good friends, I started taking freelance jobs in commercial art while also working at a non-profit organization. I eventually quit the non-profit and took various jobs ranging from the decorative arts to graphic design. I also began to get involved with local artist groups such as Untitled Artist Group and The Young Artist Mafia. It was during this time, that I started to create characters as art. I was very influenced by groups like Friends With You and Pictoplasma. I became fascinated with works by Petah Coyne.
In 2004, I was approached by my friends who make up the band Venus Hum to do the artwork for their upcoming album, The Colors In The Wheel. This collaboration has grown to encompass everything visual for them including CDs, posters, and even characters.
Currently, I work a full time job building puppets for major theme parks all over the world. I’m learning how to identify trees, relearning the piano, and discovering the terror and wonder of growing up.