How did you become a designer/artist?

I took a few design courses and after being told I had an uncanny knack for it, I started my career in graphics when I was 20 by quitting one of my two not-going-anywhere jobs. I took a position as a paste-up guy in an advertising/design studio owned by a former VCU Arts/Photography professor, Raffaele DeGregorio. I gradually learned the ropes of the trade, studied works by design greats, worked with other talented designers, and over five years at that studio pushed my skills at my favorite part of the job -- logo design. After working for eight combined years at two studios, I started my own company nine years ago which eventually became Woodpile Studios, complete with five experienced full-timers. We’ve been published by "Graphis" three times and was recently chosen to have a 2-page logo spread published in a Japanese Design book titled “Super Logo Design 2” along with an international selection of top designers. Business is way better now than it’s been in almost two years. We’re being selected for more and more exciting projects with each passing month.

Where are you from originally?

I’m originally from Houston Texas, but moved to the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC 18 years ago.

What are you doing now?

Redesigning our logo and 3-year-old website/stationery (check back in mid September). Focusing our energy in brand and corporate identity development. Recently designed the logo for the Las Vegas Monorail, a logo for the oldest/largest flag manufacturer in Russia (cool name, Oktober) various promotions for AOL, and currently working on a logo for a major internationally-televised Hollywood TV event, as well as rebranding several companies and organizations in a variety of industries.

What are your plans for the future?

Keep pushing my skills. Continue teaming up with corporations, PR/marketing firms, major advertising agencies, etc. for sweet logo/branding project opportunities.

What American artist inspires you most?

David Lynch

What unlocks your creativity?

Film. Opportunity. Stimulants.