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I
grew up in Northport, Alabama, land of the mighty Black Warrior
River and where college football is king. Being a scrawny and
unathletic youth, I knew early on that I was not destined for
Crimson Tide gridiron glory. But my boyhood pursuits of drawing
and playing in the woods around my house did become important
in my future endeavors. The latter instilled in me a love of
plants, animals, and natural science which continues to this
day. The former has always been a way for me to communicate
my fascination with the natural world. My
first artistic commission was done for the playground escapades
of myself and my elementary-school classmates. I was recruited
to do crayon drawings of Star Trek phasers and communicators,
which I then cut out with my left-handed safety scissors and
distributed to the crew. I was frequently cast in the role of
science officer Spock.
My
artistic and scientific pursuits would later take a more disciplined
direction at Birmingham-Southern College, where I received a
B.A. in studio art with a concentration in painting. I also
minored in biology, taking courses in field zoology, ornithology,
and botany.
In
the mid-1990s, I did graduate work in art history at Temple
University, and while living in Philadelphia, I took life drawing
courses at Fleischer Art Memorial and animation classes at Animation
Arts in nearby Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Subsequently,
I worked in the libraries of the University of Alabama and on
various freelance illustration projects, including children’s-book
illustration.
In
2004, a mysterious beacon went out from the Space Needle in
Seattle, calling me away from Alabama, to the scientific illustration
program at the University of Washington. Thus began the most
recent chapter in my continuing exploration of art, illustration,
and the natural sciences. I have greatly enjoyed exploring and
depicting the plant and animal life of the Pacific Northwest.
I am also especially interested in the fascinating wildlife
of Australia. And if I ever get to see a living, breathing,
swimming duckbilled platypus, I will die a happy man.
In
addition to scientific illustration, children’s-book illustration
is an area that gives me much satisfaction. There is nothing
better than the way it rekindles the feelings of wonder, hope,
and unlimited possibilities of being a kid. I remember realizing
at some point when I was young that I inevitably had to become
a so-called “adult.” I was bitterly disappointed—and
still am. Nonetheless, I remain closely in touch with the feelings
and experiences of my childhood, and gladly return to them whenever
possible.
If
you have a project you are interested in having me illustrate,
or if you just have any feedback or comments, please feel free
to drop me a line. And check back regularly, because new work
is always being added! Thanks! |
