How did you become a designer/artist?

I've taken a very roundabout route to photography and design. I initially started out as a research scientist (studying cancer) but the academic world was much too confining for me. In 1999 I moved to San Francisco, got myself a job, and that same year received my first camera as a Christmas gift. I took to photography instantly and I was carting 20-30 rolls of film a month down to my local developer - this on my entry-level peon salary. I didn't eat well that year, but my photography improved a lot.

Where are you from originally?

I'm from San Diego originally, although I've been in Northern California for over 10 years now and wouldn't trade it for anything. Except maybe NYC...for 2-3 years...then back to N.Cal before I become Lou Reed.

What are you doing now?

Right now I'm splitting time between photography and my paying job as a search engine hacker (really). After 5 years of photography, my wife finally convinced me at the start of 2004 to begin showing my work publicly for the first time. Thanks to her I've had several solo shows this year and have received great responses to my work. I'm now looking into doing professional photography work in the fine art, editorial, and technical areas.

What are your plans for the future?

I'll be dead by the time I'm 27
....but I'm 29 now....
damn.

What American artist inspires you most?

I don't really have any one most inspirational artist. In my head all my favorite art works get blended together into a big soup that tastes like how I'd like the world to look. Sometimes that soup sounds blue. Some of my favorite artists are Robert ParkeHarrison (installation photography), Mariko Mori (photography/multimedia), Dale Chihuly (glass), Christopher Ries (glass), and Patrick Jouin (design).

What unlocks your creativity?

Being around other creative people always inspires me to do my best work. If I can't find anyone interesting to hang out with, 32oz. of really black coffee can sometimes be substituted with good results. I go to the Burning Man festival every year and each time I come back with a creative rush that's carried me through half the year. The other half of the year I just drink lots of coffee.