My Why
Through 20 years in professional creative roles, I’ve enjoyed developing skills in design and illustration, video editing and motion graphics. I’ve learned that good design answers a question or solves a problem but beyond that, I believe that art and design is humanizing.
I’m seeing through other’s eyes as I grasp the vision for a piece, faithfully represent a brand’s personality, or receive and implement feedback. Creativity is often an exercise in intellect, imagination, and empathy. The product of visual design has a unique way of speaking to us emotionally, potentially moving us past personal barriers to honest conversation and understanding.
The Personal Stuff
My wife (Sarah) and I live in Clemson, SC with our two kids and one, fat cat. We often grow cucumbers in the summer and enjoy keeping (seemingly limitless) jars pickles around to snack on. Apart from professional design work, I love to learn and I tend to jump from hobby to hobby. In the past couple years, you could have found me building a back-yard zip-line platform, Installing Linux on an old iMac to dedicate as a retro arcade game emulator, or drawing and practicing oil painting techniques. I hope to soon be engaged with some small electronics repair using the soldering kit I got for Christmas.
I’ve found that many of my interests are consistent with a highly creative personality but even in the midst of working as a designer, I haven’t always been comfortable being me. I first became aware of that when I met Makoto Fujimura (painter, founder of the International Arts Movement) in his NYC studio in 2008. Mako spoke with a sort-of weightiness when describing the history and significance of his artistic process. Though it was just one memorable event along my journey (see below for more on that), hearing his story and seeing his work was a demonstration of the value of artistic activity to the heart of an artist was transformative to my perspective.
“We’re created to be creative. We are made in the image of God. That is our true identity as makers.”
-Makoto Fujimura
a quick flip through my art journey
