This is my earliest surviving drawing.
(The one on the left.)
In case it’s not as obvious as I like to think- it’s a chicken crossing the road.
My illustrious skills earned renown early on, when my “Patch the Pony Says Don’t Go With Strangers” entry was voted Best Safety Awareness Poster at Flora List Elementary School. The grand prize: a coupon for a Free small order of French Fries! …It’s a Major Award!
A few more [slightly more prestigious] awards and scholarships later I was off to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where a hundred sleepless nights and countless packets of Ramen noodles led to a BFA in Graphic Communications.
I began my career as a “traditional” illustrator, using real, actual paint, brushes, and pencils to create artwork for clients like General Motors, Coca-Cola, Volkswagen, and Houghton Mifflin. Going digital led to logo design and web graphics, then product development and packaging design for giftware and home décor companies. I've also written "how-to" articles for several artists’ magazines; it's a great opportunity to just play again, to test different styles and techniques, and encourage others to try something new.
These days I'm focused on illustration again, doing my part to help inspire a passion for nature at a wildlife conservancy. I think the chickens, ponies and other beloved creatures of my childhood would be pleased.