About
I have known from the first time I picked up a crayon that I wanted to be an artist. In 1992, I received Bachelor of Arts with honors with concentrations in Graphic Design, and Drawing & Painting from LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. Right after that I attended the Illustration program at Portfolio Center in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating in 1994 winning several awards and honors. Worked as an on staff illustrator for a small design firm for a year and a half, then struck out on my own. Now for the past 18+ years I have tremendously enjoyed being able to pursue my love for art professionally as a freelance illustrator. I work/play from my home studio near Atlanta, GA. I currently teach Illustration part-time at SCAD Atlanta campus and Portfolio Center.
Awards
Society of Illustrators LA, ‘Crispin and the Great Tree’ – 01-2011
2nd Place – ArtWanted.com, ‘Mixed-Media’ art contest – 07.2009
Wall of Outstanding Alumni Award- LaGrange College, 10.2007
Silver Medal, Western English Trade Association Awards, Equestrian Retailer magazine cover illustration – 11.2006
1st Place- ArtWanted.com, ‘Religious Easter’ art contest – 05.2006
Top 10 list for “Poser’s Best of the Best Contest for 2005” – 12.2005
Honorable Mention – 1st Annual Surrealism Today Digital Art Contest – Juried contest – 2005
1st Place- ArtWanted.com, ‘Digital Christmas’ art contest – 01.2004
1st Place – ArtWanted.com, ‘Matter of Time’ Illustration contest – 07.2003
Communication Arts, 2003 Illustration Annual, for VFW magazine cover
Golden Web Awards, winner 2003-2004
Golden Web Awards, winner 2002-2003
National Volunteer of the Year Award, Graphic Artists Guild, 2001
Design Excellence, Print magazines, Regional Design Annual 1996
Merit, HOW magazines, International Annual of Design, 1996
Best Magazine Cover, Atlanta Journal & Constitution, 1995
Gold Addy, state and Southeast region, American Advertising Federation (AAF) billboard series for Alltell Mobile. 1995
Featured billboard ad for Henderson Advertising, Atlanta in Art Direction Magazine, Art Director, Mike Weed. 1994
Best of Show, Illustration program, Portfolio Center, 1993
Articles
Undercutting – Oz Magazine, interview + cover, 05-06, 2009
Radio Sandy Springs Interview, Following Your Passions, June 2008
SCAD Atlanta: District and Connector Magazines – Take Action: Don’t Let Congress Orphan Your Work – May 2008
New Web Pick E-Zine Interview – Issue 11: Pure World, 08-2&007
Computer Arts Magazine – Making Stock Pay, Issue 126 Fall 2006
Computer Arts Projects – Illustration – Featured Illustrations and Bio – Issue 79, Christmas 2005
Step-By-Step Electronic Design – Technique how-to article, October 1999,
Graphic Artists Guild-Atlanta Chapter – Several articles in the web site and newsletter
Starting your Career as a Freelance Illustrator or Graphic Designer, My work and quotes are in this very popular book by Michael Fleishman
Gallery Shows
eMotion Pictures, juried show, Chicago, IL, 04-2008
7th Annual Judeo-Christian Art Juried Online International Exhibition, Upstream People Gallery, all 5 pieces accepted, 04-2005 – 04-2006
Faculty Exhibition, Atlanta College of Art, Atlanta, GA, 08-2005
Faculty Exhibition, Atlanta College of Art, Atlanta, GA, 08-2004
Faculty Exhibition, Atlanta College of Art, Atlanta, GA, 02-2004
The Art? Show, Bluemilk Gallery, Atlanta, GA, 09-2001
Wired Designs and Gallery, Marietta, GA, 1999
Shirley Fox Studio, Atlanta, GA, 1995
Artist’s statement
The possibilities are boundless, crafting and drafting a vision for another and learning about an array of different subjects are some of the important reasons why I love creating and teaching illustration. I’m a strong believer in giving my client what they want and with my 20+ years of image making expertise added to the project to go beyond their expectations. Every job I take on is not dictated by forcing only my vision of the solution, but the smart and appropriate team solution to the problem. Whether it’s digital or traditional realism, surrealism, whimsical, narrative, or technical or anything in between I love the variety of each image I create. My reward is the satisfaction of the client and personal growth in concept and technique. That is why my portfolio shows my strength of diversity in approach and style. Because of the variety of jobs in almost every illustration market I’m able to give back to the community of other passionate artists through teaching them my professional experience at SCAD and Portfolio Center in Atlanta, GA. Feel free to contact me about your next project.