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| Q: | How long have you been an artist? | |
| A: | Longer than I can remember. I've always understood that art was something I was supposed to do. As a kid, I was encouraged to pursue my interest in art. Eventually it was just accepted as part of my identity. My interest in art was never made into anything extraordinary, it was just a natural part of me. | |
| Q: | What artists have influenced your work? | |
| A: | I think I've been most influenced by artwork that I've come into contact with during my regular day-to-day activities; book illustrations, comic book art, sci-fi movies, photographs, skateboard graphics, poster art, those sorts of things have been my real influences. | |
| Q: | Why illustration? | |
| A: | Illustration is everyone's art. I've always loved books and my artwork has been influenced by the books I grew up reading. Even now, I listen to audio books while I'm working to help me focus. Books and the artwork they contain are opportunities to make an impact and a lasting impression. | |
| Q: | Besides drawing, what other creative outlets do you enjoy? | |
| A: | I enjoy painting small photo-real scenes which capture life from unexpected viewpoints. I have a strong background in crafts and do some woodworking as well. I also play the guitar, write music, sing, and enjoy freestyle skateboarding. | |
| Q: | You work at home now, any difficulties? | |
| A: | For me, the hardest thing about working at home is pacing myself. Every now and then I get so wrapped up in a project that I focus more on the end result than the process. I have to make myself step back and take the time to enjoy doing the work. | |
| Q: | And the best part of working at home? | |
| A: | Definitely being able to sit in front of my window or in my favorite chair and draw. Before becoming an illustrator I worked as a graphic artist, sitting in front of a computer most of the day. It's so refreshing to step away from the desk and work with my hands. | |
| Q: | What projects are you working on currently? | |
| A: | I've been working for Dover Publications recently. I've completed several coloring books and a maze book that should be available soon. I also contributed some images to one of Dover's clip-art collections. Outside of that, I'm working on several independent projects for self-publishing. | |
| Q: | Any advice for aspiring illustrators? | |
| A: | There are all kinds of opportunities to use your creativity, don't limit your options before you find out what you really enjoy doing. Find your own style and continue to develop it. Be honest about what you can do. Don't change your style to suit a particular project and don't copy - market yourself and your art. | |
