How did you become a designer/artist?

I was a rambunctious and hyperactive child, and instead of placing me on Ritalin, my mother gave me crayons, building blocks and Legos. I could disappear into a piece of paper for hours or build cities that covered our entire living room floor. With the support and encouragement of my mom, I’ve been making art of some kind ever since.

What are you doing now?

I am currently employed at a small marketing and graphic design company right across the river from St. Louis, MO in Alton, IL. I also operate my own freelance company, Visual Lure.

Where areyou from originally?

I am originally from Belvidere, IL, a small town on the outskirts of Chicago. Currently I live ten minutes from the St. Louis Arch on the Illinois side in O’Fallon, IL.

What are your plans for the future?

To continue building Visual Lure’s client list and help educate companies about the benefits and importance of quality design.

What American artist inspires you most?

Chuck Close. Initially, I was not impressed the first time I saw a Chuck Close large format portrait. I thought it was an enlarged black and white photograph. Once I saw the tiny brushstrokes and realized it was a painting – I was blown away. The time, patience and craftsmanship required to create such a piece still inspires me. More inspiring is the fact that Close continued to paint even after becoming a quadriplegic. He paints by holding a brush in his mouth.

What unlocks your creativity?

A BIC #2 0.7-mm mechanical pencil and a piece of paper.