My Journey as an Artist

In high school, I found myself in an art class with an incredible teacher named Pat Abbott. At the time, I had no idea how much she would shape my outlook on life and influence my career. What made her classes special wasn’t just the lessons—it was the sense of belonging I felt.

Most of my friends were great students, effortlessly racking up good grades, but I wasn’t that guy. I struggled with academics, found reading tedious, and spent more time doodling in notebooks and cracking jokes than paying attention in class. Maybe that was part of the problem—but looking back, I realize I just wasn’t built for the traditional school system. I didn’t enjoy it, and I had no plans to go to college.

After graduating high school, I continued working for the construction company that had employed me during summers. But after spending the summer and fall working full-time, I started reconsidering college. I wanted to be an artist, but everyone around me insisted that art wouldn’t pay the bills—and I listened. When I finally enrolled at Colorado State University for the spring semester, I chose Construction Management as my major. What a disaster.

College felt just like high school, except the parties were better—and that quickly caught up with me. After three semesters, the university decided my dismal GPA was enough reason to dismiss me. That’s when everything changed.

One of my fraternity brothers was a senior studying graphic design, and he convinced me it wasn’t the dead-end career path so many people claimed it was. Inspired, I successfully petitioned CSU to take me back and immediately changed my major to art with a focus on graphic design. It was the best decision I could have made. In 1990, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Since then, I’ve spent most of my career as an entrepreneur and solopreneur, building and running several small businesses while consulting for others. Though I’ve worked for companies along the way, I’ve always gravitated toward working for myself—creating solutions, innovating, and carving my own path.

The art I create today is the culmination of my experiences, education, influences, and love for technology. It’s a reflection of my journey—from a kid sketching in notebooks to a professional digital artist.

I hope you enjoy my work!