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I am a professional storyteller and illustrator with an Americana sensibility.        I grew up in Michigan, sitting around the fireplace listening to my grandfather’s tall tales. Those tales were then re-enacted with my brother and sisters outdoors because when it was sunny Grandma wouldn’t allow us kids to stay inside the house. Evenings or cold and rainy days we would all gather around the kitchen table to further immerse ourselves in the imaginary world; reliving the adventures through drawing pictures.

Four years of active service in the Marine Corps, being deployed all over the world, and meeting people of different cultures further inspired my craft. Yet as bullets were flying overhead in the Kuwaiti desert, I figured there had to be a better way to make a living, so after I returned stateside I enrolled in the illustration department of the Ringling School of Art and Design. Working my way through college drawing caricatures at parties and special events gave me an edge over my fellow students. This interaction and observation of people has always come through my work and allowed me to draw quickly to capture expressions and settings. I believe that every person has a story to tell and that by drawing through expression and exaggeration, I can find honest storytelling. Being able to illustrate expressively attracted the attention of many      animation studios.

I was recruited by Disney Feature Animation, where I started at the entry position of clean-up animator.  After developing my skills, I was moved into the story department. This is where I felt most at home, working with the world’s greatest storytellers. From then until now, I have traveled the country and the world making over a dozen feature films for studios; Disney, Laika, Sony, FOX, Lucas Films, Aardman, and One Animation. I have also had opportunities to teach and lecture in institutions like DigiPen, LASSALE, Elite Animation Academy, RUS, and Banff Centre. All the creativity, classical training, travel, and varied cultural experiences have enhanced my ability to tell stories.

I am thankful and fortunate to be able to use my talents and my life experiences to entertain people by making pictures and telling stories.