How did you become a designer/artist?

I have always loved art and design. When I was a kid, I used to make up design businesses all the time. I started doing freelance when I turned 18. My first big freelance job was doing caricatures for a hearse/limo company at the Texas Association of Funeral Directors Convention in Houston. It was an interesting experience.

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Cedar Hill, Texas (outside of Dallas).

Who were your main influences growing up?

My main influences are my graphic designer cousin, Don McAdams, my grandmother, different artists on PBS, Derik Nitzel, and Scott Pollock.

Did you go to art school/college for design or are you self-taught?

I am both self-taught and schooled. I went to school for photography and learned a lot about digital design while I was there. But for the most part I am self-taught. I have actually learned the most through different freelance jobs. You do some unique things in freelance.

Any advice or tips to novice designers?

The best advice I could give is for novice designers to study good design. Know what you like and figure out what about it catches your eye. Analyzing other people's work will help you improve yours. Take classes. They will open you up to new ideas and ways of approaching subjects. Most importantly, though, you need to engage in creative tasks, practice and draw all the time. Practice improves your skill, gives you ideas and helps you to think creatively.

What has been the most rewarding and challenging project you have worked on?

The most challenging and rewarding project that I worked on is "Tea with Kensee". I created the monster under her bed completely from scratch. It was difficult to make it look believable and also not too scary in the photo with Kensee, but I was able to do it and it looks really cool.

What is your favorite design piece? Why?

"Fiffi's Afternoon Stroll" is my favorite piece. It is actually a family portrait. I had a lot of fun with that one. Really I love all of my illustration shots that tell a story, and my ink work.

What are you doing now?

As well as being an artist, I am a certified elementary school teacher. I also am working on a line of products based on my character "Insomnia Joe" and various freelance jobs.

What are your plans for the future?

I want to do more clothing design in the future and find more outlets for my retail work. It is always exciting to drive around town and see a bumper sticker I have designed on a car or someone wearing one of my shirts.

What American artist inspires you most?

I cannot narrow my inspiration down to one, because there are three artists that have inspired me equally in different ways. They are Keith Carter, Peter Yang, and Sean Perry. Keith Carter is an amazing black and white photographer. Peter Yang shoots some of the most beautiful color photojournalist work and is a master in lighting. Sean Perry taught me to love digital work. He was one of my teachers at photo school and an amazing artist.

What unlocks your creativity?

Being outside really unlocks my creativity as well as seeing interesting architecture or colors and pattern combinations. It varies. Something catches my eye and gets my juices flowing.