I grew up drawing. I was one of those kids that sat in the back of class and drew pictures on my notes or in my text book. I decided to pursue art as a career sometime in high school after my art teacher called my parents telling them to encourage me. However, I was somewhat sidetracked on my path while I studied design as an undergrad. Then, after graduation, I worked as a graphic designer for about eight years. I have no regrets about this though. It was a great study in composition and colour and I still find much inspiration from that field.

It wasn't until the dot-com crash, followed by 9/11, that I decided to pursue illustration. All of my clients seemed to disappear overnight when the stock market fell. My ignorance of the marketplace for commercial art was a huge help in my decision to move from graphics to illustration. I had no idea what I was getting into at the time. I just knew I wanted to be an illustrator. The transition took place over four years though, so I was still pulling in graphic design jobs as I built up my illustration portfolio. My first jobs came in after getting into the Communication Arts Illustration Annual. Then, after two more years, I signed on with an artists' representative which helped a lot. (We have since parted ways, but it was a good experience.)

A weirdly exuberant cocktail of firecrackers, filigree, fascination, fear, and fancy.

For clients I always start with word association, thumbnails, and sketches. My personal work is never heavily planned. I like to simply start and see where it goes. Since everything is digital, I can figure out the composition and colours as I go.

The core of my technique is actually very basic and takes advantage of the computer's natural ability to duplicate information. In Photoshop I start, in greyscale, with one shape on one layer which I duplicate and repeat to build up more complicated shapes. These new complicated shapes are then duplicated and repeated to form even more complicated shapes. The first shape can be almost anything, but I prefer that it is basic because it will become complex very quickly. Imagine a grey circle duplicated on top of itself, so you have two layers, each with the same circle. Move the top circle to the right and shrink it by 50%. Make sure it is still overlapping the bottom circle. Merge both layers. Now you have a new shape on one layer. Duplicate that layer on top of itself. Move it down and to the left. Rotate it 90 degrees clockwise. Make sure it is still overlapping the bottom layer. Merge both layers to make another new shape. That's the basic process. It gets much more involved than that and certain pieces can take many days to complete.

I use Photoshop almost exclusively. Every once in awhile I open Illustrator to create certain decorative elements.


Of course. My mainline defence against any creative block is a good night's sleep and exercise. Stepping away from something for awhile always seems to help. I've had blocks towards the end of a day when I will just stare at the screen and barely do anything. The next morning I will have no problem figuring out what needs to be done. If I don't have the luxury of sleep, I will go for a hike or just switch gears for an hour and come back to the problem at hand. Music helps too.


I eventually want to teach experimental digital illustration at a university.

Classic rock, old metal, indie, electronica/trance/triphop, classical, old jazz, and some punk

If you are going to be a freelance illustrator you must understand that it is a business. You need to understand how to market yourself. This is equally or more important than talent! You are moving into a completely saturated field. The internet has made it possible for art directors to find highly skilled artists from around the world in minutes. At the same time, publishing has diminished significantly which has lowered fees and the amount of assignments available to illustrators. If you think you will survive just on talent you are probably in for a shock. Read up on marketing, publicity, and business. And realize that it takes time to build up a business.

Also: Find new venues for your work. Always be asking yourself where your work might be a good fit.