| I was born in 1976 in the small town of Coshocton, Ohio. Growing up I’ve always loved to draw. Watching cartoons and reading comics really inspired me as a young kid. I continued drawing into high school, constantly honing my skills. It was just a hobby at the time. I loved art but it didn’t seem like something I could make a career out of. It was way too fun. My high school art teacher saw my potential and convinced me that there was a future for me in art.
After discovering that you could actually make a living drawing and painting I enrolled into the Columbus College of Art and Design. School was very competitive and it pushed me to be better. I had to break some of my peers’ fingers but it was well worth it. I got accepted into the Students Society of Illustrators my junior and senior year. I was awarded the Best of Show twice for CCAD’s Art of Illustration Competition and received the Outstanding Achievement Award in my major. Sorry guys. I also have a pretty good arm bar. I’m a decent striker, and best of all, unflappable.
After a year of looking for work I finally landed a full-time job as an in-house illustrator. Another four and a half years of painting pies, plush animals, cook book covers and enough gingham to cover a picnic table and I had advanced as far as I could. I knew it was time to move on. I paint a pretty good pie. But it’s not my bread and butter. I painted bread and butter too. It was cake.
I worked the day job and freelanced as long as I possibly could until finally the work load became overbearing. I put in my two weeks notice and made the jump to freelancing full-time. It was a slow start. Yet, I always tried my best and the jobs continued to come. I strived to create better work for myself and for my clients. As a result I’ve had the honor of being showcased in The Society of Illustrators New York, The Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art, The Blue Cube, Aphrodisia, and Lurzer’s 200 Best Illustrators World Wide. I have also juried for the Society of Illustrators Student Show as well as The Art of Illustration, and I’m the Artist Guest of Honor for ConGlomeration 2008.
I currently stay in Columbus, Ohio. I also like to bicycle and break dance as well as fingers.
Clients include Simon & Schuster, Tor Books, Scholastic, Harcourt Publishers, Washington National Opera, Realms of Fantasy, Wizards of the Coast, Night Shade Books, and more.
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