How did you get your start?

Tolleson, Arizona – that’s where I grew up. Summer reading programs at the Tolleson library introduced me to the art world. The optical world away from the small town I grew up in. Through lots of book-worming, I learned about graphic design, art history, and the many ways people make art. That little library is what started it all for me.

I didn’t know I was going to be an artist one day, I just decided to remain an artist. It was a choice.

What’s your creative process like?

I draw every day, both on sketchbooks and on my tablet. I write a lot, capturing ideas for new projects. Writing helps me narrow down which ideas to make happen. But, as a person with lots of ideas, I know I need to work at staying focused.

Most of my creative process is about working within limitations. For instance, I don’t have a giant-sized marketing budget for my studio so it’s really important that I spend time on the right things and show up at the right in-person events.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

Wow, where to start!? There’s probably a few hundred artists and designers in my “Top Five”. Locally, Janel Garza, Bob Case, Andrew Bosley, and Jon Arvizu come to mind. I’m also keeping up with work by Rachel Ignotofsky, Jamie Hewlett, Brosmind, Marion Duechars, Gaston Pacheco, and Tad Carpenter.

But most of my “art heroes” are classics. Charley Harper, Jim Henson, Mary Blair, Tolkien, Art Clokey, Beatrix Potter, Jim Flora, Ernst Haeckel, Takashi Murakami, Takeo Takei, Brian Froud, and Moebius. I carry these artists around in my head all the time.

Do you accept commissions? How do your rates work?

I do accept commissions on a case by case basis. IF a project is about collaborating to create something different, I’m interested. If a project is about doing cheap / fast work, I’m not the guy for that.

My rates are flexible and are based on the complexity of a project. After an initial conversation, I send a quote outlining my pricing. No confusing jargon included.

Some examples of projects I work on for clients are tabletop games, illustrations for use in print, digital, and apparel applications, event graphics, and iconography / emoji sets.

How do I know if I need college to be a creative professional?

If you’re self-motivated, curious about learning, a reader, and someone who makes time for growing skills, you may not need college to find success. People who take the initiative to get their own ideas done and work hard on their own, have a great foundation for being self-taught. There are many, many self-taught creatives out there.

On the other hand, if being an illustrator or designer is something you’re committed to but you need someone holding you accountable, consider the classroom environment. That’s the main benefit of being in a formal learning setting like a university or college. It can help you stay motivated, provides discipline and direction as you grow and you get to benefit from having direct input from peers and professors.

Think about these two paths. But know this: How you treat others, being a respectful person, and communicating well are going to be just as important, if not more important, than what path you take for education.