Can you tell us about this piece?
At the time I made this piece I was experimenting in integrating photography with abstraction. I envisioned being lost in the forest and figuring out my escape route. I guess you could say that I was on a vision quest with this piece – trying to find my inner wolf.
If you were to describe your work to someone who’s never seen it, what would you say?
I would say my work is a carefully conceived explosion of contrasting colors and shapes that work together to form abstract reflections of everyday life. My hope is to create work that is relatable to everyone and speaks light-heartedly about life in the current digital age and natural landscapes.
What’s your creative process?
It’s pretty simple: I think about basic ideas I want to use and then I expand them from there. My routine consists of sketching designs, scanning them into Illustrator and finalizing them in Photoshop. I prefer to multi-task and work on several pieces at once- I never work on one piece at a time.
Could you share one of your latest sketches?
Would you share three unique things in your workspace that inspire you?
My pair of awesome Blublockers, my sketchbook, and my Joe Ledbetter Toys.
What’s the art scene like where you live?
I think Chicago has a pretty underrated art scene. We have a great collection of screen printers, and get a lot of great young talent out of the School of the Art Institute and Columbia College.
What art is hanging on your walls at the moment?
I have an good amount hanging up right now: A Jordan Crane, two Little Friends of Printmaking, Dan Grzeca, Steak Mtn, Philip Tseng, Jublin, No Pattern, UPSO, Ginette Lapalme, Paul Octavious,Tyler Stout and a couple Will Bryants. I am pretty obsessed with collecting prints. I have about thirty more from various people just waiting for frames.
What are you really into right now?
I’ve been watching too much good TV lately. Most of it is on DVD: Arrested development, Lost, Friday Night Lights, Tim and Eric Awesome Show: Great Job!, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, etc.
What would be on your quintessential mixtape?
Animal Collective, Dan Deacon, Bruce Springsteen, Ratatat, Grizzly Bear, Matt & Kim, Battles, Hood Internet, and Justice.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
Glitch Nintendo dance pop.
What do you have as your desktop wallpaper?
The Dharma Initiative logo from Lost.
What websites do you check out regularly?
Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, Booooooom, Josh Spear, It’s Nice That, Kitsune Noir, Design Milk.
What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
I’m a sucker for old comic books and bad movies.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
I can’t remember specifically because I have been drawing since I could pick up a crayon. If I had to guess it was probably of some kind of superhero.
If you were a dinosaur, what kind would you be and why?
Probably a triceratops. I’m a pretty relaxed dude, but get in my way I’ll run you down.
What was your last memorable dream?
I dreamt I could dunk a basketball then got drafted by the Chicago Bulls. It was amazing, I got to hang out with Michael Jordan.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
Well, everyone else in my family is a teacher, so probably that. Maybe a sports trainer because helping people is cool.
What’s your motto?
Do what feels good.
