Van Halen and the Woodpecker

 

​Van Halen. Never been a huge fan, but in 8th grade, boy was I enamored by their logo. One day, during a social science lesson on Panama, (ok, not really, I don't recall what the lesson was about) I decided to draw 'VH', large and in charge, on one of my book covers. Instantly, I had classmates asking me to do the same for them. I was in business. 

 

And the woodpecker. Around the same time, I saw a documentary, on PBS, about the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. The lore and mystery surrounding that bird fascinated me to the extent that I began drawing birds and animals while watching T.V. I never imagined that rendering rock band logos and birds would lead to a career until I bought my first bass guitar.

 

After graduating from high school, I was invited to play in a band. Playing music quickly became my new passion. Art took second chair. Yet, I found myself combining my drawing skills with my graphic design interests to promote the different bands I was in.

 

I created gig flyers, decorated practice spaces, made stage props, took group photos, design business cards, and conjured covers for demo tapes. After several years of pursuing music, I realized that I was unable to make a living doing so. Desperate for income, I went into direct sales. I while I learned a lot about marketing in the sales world, and I loved interacting with people, I missed being creative. So, I returned to school and earned two degrees with honors;
a BA in Communication Design and a BA in Studio Art, both from Texas State University.