Bio + Statement
I am an artist, designer, musician, photographer, videographer, and professor located in Southern California. A desire to conjure visions and sounds that evoke emotion and ignite imagination motivates my creative work. I have experience working commercially with clients as well as exhibiting my fine art. I can fully direct projects and also strive in creative collaborations with others.
The majority of the content on this site self-directed and created while operating in either of two primary modes; free-form experimentation and thematic creation.
In free-form experimentation, I work without predetermined outcomes, open to discovery and free to test techniques, materials, and work without pressure of specific results. Over time, the experiences allow me to expand means of expression, while also allowing for mental stimulation to sustain my inspiration. I equate this to a poet’s journal or a musician’s practice session.
When working thematically, my efforts are more focused and centered around a specific concept or aesthetic style. Some of these projects are small, self-contained bodies of work, while others unfold over many years or decades. I approach my work holistically, considering each piece within the context of the entire collection. I equate this approach to an author crafting a novel through multiple chapters or a composer creating a symphony in movements where every part must harmonize with the whole.
I seek out new materials, methods, and ways of thinking. This open, cross-disciplined approach has strengthened my practice. Enhancing my observational drawing has made me a more perceptive photographer. Crafting soundscapes has sharpened my sense of visual composition. Creative writing broadens my conceptual thinking. Abstract painting enhances my ability to evoke emotion. Building physical objects has refined my craftsmanship with traditional media. Despite the diversity of media and methods, I believe that when viewed as a whole, my work reveals consistent aesthetic qualities and emotional themes that can be identified as coming from a single artist.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts (Illustration) degree 2005 California State University, Fullerton (Fullerton, CA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (cum laude) 2000 Miami University (Oxford, OH)
Additional formal studies from Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Academy of Design, and Columbus College of Art and Design.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE + ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
For more details on my faculty work, view the teaching/academic work page here.
2004–2024 Faculty at Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CA
(2022–2024) Full Professor of Visual Communications, Assistant Chair of Graphic Design
(2014–2024) Associate Professor, Digital Foundations Coordinator
(2006–2014) Assistant Professor Professor of Visual Communications
(2004–2006) Adjunct Instructor
2010 Part-time Instructor, Irvine Valley College, Irvine, CA (Illustration Fall 2010)
2008 Part-time Instructor, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Orange County Campus, Irvine, CA (Desktop Publishing, two sections, Fall Quarter 2008)
2008 Part-time Instructor, Irvine Valley College, ATEP Campus (Advanced Technology & Education Park), Tustin, CA (Graphic Design Spring 2008, Graphic Design, Drawing Fundamentals Summer 2008)
2006 Part-time Instructor, Irvine Valley College, Irvine, CA (Digital Photo Summer 2006)
2004–2005 Teaching Assistant (Instructor of Record), California State University, Fullerton, CA (Digital Illustration Fall 2004, Spring 2005)
2005 Part-time Instructor, Irvine Valley College, Irvine, CA (Graphic Design Spring 2005, Graphic Design, Intermediate Digital Imaging Fall 2005)
2004 Graduate Assistant to Associate Dean of the College of the Arts, California State University, Fullerton, CA (Web Site and Art Department Promotions)
2003–2004 Graduate Assistant Computer Lab Technician at Grand Central Art Center, Santa Ana, CA (Macintosh Computer Lab)
2002 Instructor for After School Arts program at Grand Central Art Center, Santa Ana, CA (Graphic Design)
2001–2002 Technology Coach/Media Coach, San Diego Community College District, North City Center, San Diego, CA (Tutor for teachers on technology for the classroom, WebCT online course assistance, and media content development)
2001–2002 Adjunct Instructor, Southwestern College, Chula Vista, CA (Digital Imagery, Graphic Design)
2001 Adjunct Instructor, Mesa College, San Diego, CA (Multimedia Production)
ARTIST TALKS/DEMONSTRATIONS
2018 National Art Education Association Design Thinking Summer Institute, hosted at LCAD (Laguna Beach, CA)
2017 Seminar for Art and Design Educators, Creative Cut Paper Design, hosted at LCAD (Laguna Beach, CA)
2003 Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, CA (Demonstration and discussion of design process)
2003 California State University, Fullerton, CA (Demonstration of digital illustration method)
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
1993–Present Freelance Multimedia Designer, Illustrator, and Photographer. Responsible for concepts, design, illustration, photography, and pre-press production for a variety of clients. Projects include: Title motion graphics for Ben Katz film (Hollywood, CA), Video and sound installation for Nix Nature Center (Laguna Beach, CA), event photography for events hosted by the city of Irvine (Irvine, CA). Published work appearing in: Writer’s of the Future anthology, Student Lawyer Magazine, InfoWorld Magazine, and HM Magazine. Illustrated and designed over 40 CD package and promotion materials for musicians and record labels: Blacklight Records (Kokomo, IN), Flaming Fish Music (Canada), and Massive Groove Productions (Keokuk, IA). Produced storyboard for feature length film, designed movie posters, and DVD cover graphics. Logo design and print collateral for small businesses.
1994 The Benchmark Group, Cincinnati, OH (In-house freelance assistant for package design)
1991–1993 Graphic Design Services, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (Graphic Designer)
Exhibitions + Publications
2025
Going Down Black Rabbit Holes video screening, The Sanctuary Studio, Santa Ana, CA
2024
Illuminated Visions, Cypress College, Cypress, CA (juried)
2023
Empty Places, Abandoned Spaces, Praxis Photo Arts Center, Minneapolis MN (juried, catalog)
2022
The Beauty In Madness: A Mental Health Awareness Month Exhibition, Praxis Photo Arts Center, Minneapolis MN (juried, catalog)
2020
Crisis Mode, Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA (juried)
2017
Fusion + Evolution: Teaching and Learning of Design in American and Chinese Academia, published by Huazhong University of Science and Technology Press Co., Wuhan, China
2017
Eerie Creepy Scary Spooky, Las Laguna, Laguna Beach, CA
2016
ACPPE American Contemporary Portrait Photography Exhibition, Ning Bo Contemporary Art Museum, China
2014
25th Annual Collector’s Choice, Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CA
2013
Special Edition, Diffusion: Unconventional Photography, Portland, OR (juried)
2013
Summer Exhibition, MOD Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2013
24th Annual Collector’s Choice, Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CA
2012
23rd Annual Collector’s Choice, Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CA
2011
Ortis, Diffusion: Unconventional Photography, Volume III, Portland, OR (juried)
2011
LCAD Japan Disaster Relief, Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CA
2009
Nude 2009, Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY (juried)
2008
2008 LAMAGA Exhibition, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2007
In, Above, and Around Park Santiago, Grand Central Art Center, Santa Ana, CA (catalog)
2007
6 Degrees of Separation, The Space on Spurgeon Santa Ana, CA
2007
If You Lived Here, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
2006
Full Circle Video Installation, Nix Nature Center, Laguna Beach, CA
2006
17th Annual Collector’s Choice, Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CA
2005
Multimedia work featured in book The Art of Self-Promotion by Rockport Publishers
2005
Love Nest Fest, Rat Powered Films, Santa Ana, CA
2004
M.F.A. Exhibition, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
2004
Laguna College of Art and Design Faculty Show, Peter Blake Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
2004
Image/Identity Artist/Writer Show, West Gallery, California State University, Fullerton, CA (catalog)
2004
180 Degrees juried graduate show, East Gallery, California State University, Fullerton, CA
2004
Sol Art/Emerge-and-See Gallery, Santa Ana, CA
2004
Graphic Verses (art and music), solo presentation, Paul-Schneider-Gemeindezentrum, Huettenberg, Germany
2004
Illustration Jan/Feb 2004 issue of STEP Inside Design Magazine (juried)
2003
Arttalk, Graphic Artists Guild event, Los Angeles, CA
2003
Gifts From The Earth, Feed The Body, Feed The Soul, Fitton Center, Hamilton, OH
2002
Black Box Films (Rat Powered Films/Grand Central Art Center), Santa Ana, CA (catalog)
2001
Faculty Exhibition, Southwestern College, Chula Vista, CA
2000
Shadows and Dreams, international exhibition, Rosenthal Art Gallery, Fayetteville State University, NC
2000
Photographer’s Forum Magazine (juried)
2000
ART.OMNIBUS, The Bartlett Building, Cincinnati, OH
1999
The Red/Green Show, The Attic Gallery, Southgate House, Newport, KY
1999
Feed the Body, Feed The Soul, Fitton Center, Hamilton, OH
1999
The Mirkwater Secrets, juried exhibition, Performing Arts gallery, Miami University, Oxford, OH
1999
Nine, Nine, Nine, B.F.A. Senior exhibition, North Hiestand Gallery, Miami University, Oxford, OH
1998
The Red Show, The Attic Gallery, Southgate House, Newport, KY
1998
NV ART, Prospectus Gallery, Oxford, OH
1993
Cincinnati Society Of Illustrators Show, EXO Gallery, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
1993
Cincinnati Illustrated, Bear Graphics and Illustration Gallery, Mason, OH (catalog)
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