Almost There!

Can you share as much as possible about the piece, any inspirations, how you came up with the concept, what you were doing while creating the artwork etc.
I wanted to create a piece that integrated the glowing apple logo, to make it feel that the logo was interacting with the artwork. What better way than to do it with light! So, once I modelled and textured the little bot, I played with the lighting until is looked good at the correct angle. Hit the render button and YEAH!

If you were to describe your work to someone who’s never seen it, what would you say?
Illustrative, graphic design based.

I work in a very “stream of consciousness” way. Just going with the flow and tweaking until I’m happy or the idea is dead. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t. I rarely sketch out ideas anymore, but some ideas do come from very small sketches that I may doodle in a meeting. Photoshop and Illustrator are my main tools.

Could you share an image of one of your latest sketches?

Would you share three unique things in your workspace that inspire you?
I’ll do better and give you FIVE! 1. My Jason Lee Handboard. 2. Green Tea AMP. 3. Brue Lee Mini-Mate. 4. Shaggy Action Figure 5. Custom Jones Soda bottle with my son’s picture on it.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received in response to your work?
I think just having kids want to buy my custom boards OVER professional boards because they liked my artwork better.

What’s the art scene like where you live?
I really don’t know – not much into the art scene here.

What art is hanging on your walls at the moment?
Custom paintings that my wife wanted me to do of some fabric. I took pictures close up with my iphone and used them as reference when painting. I did a series of 7. Also have a signed Sabrina Ward Harrison print.

What are you really into right now?
My kids. Wife. Skateboarding. Can’t wait till the kids want to skate with their old man.

What would be on your quintessential mixtape?
Rob Zombie, Living Colour, Ramones, Cake, Gandarvas, Our Lady Peace, Faith No More, CKY, Audioslave, Avenged Sevenfold, Public Enemy, The Presidents of the United States, Rage against the Machine, RX Bandits, State Radio, 7 Seconds, Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Fugazi … .We have over 500 CD’s at home.

If your art was music, what would it sound like?
Really loud, then really quiet. Barely distinguishable. Then completely annoying. Head nodding groovy, then chaos noise. All random, uncontrollable and unattainable.

What do you have as your desktop wallpaper?
A montage of a fall photoshoot of my wife and kids.

What websites do you check out regularly?
Infectious, SkullandBonesSkateboards.com, smashingmagazine.com, Engadget.com, redbubble.com, TUAW.com, skatedaily.net

What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
Mt. Dew, AMP, Limp Bizkit…. rollin rollin rollin.

What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
I drew a stick figure … my mom kept it … she’s crazy about keeping up a baby book. My wife has it.

If you were a dinosaur, what kind would you be and why?
One that could fly. Who doesn’t want to fly?!?

What was your last memorable dream?
hmmm … don’t remember.

If you had to change careers, what would be next?
If money was no option, I’d go back to working at a skate shop.

Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
We’re really close to getting a skatepark here in Milford Michigan … skatemilford.com .. not artwork, but it’s going to give kids a creative outlet.

What’s your motto?
If you’re not falling, you’re not trying.