About the Artist
At the Present
I live in Bristol, Indiana with my wife and daughter and work as a teacher and coach in the West Noble School Corporation. When I'm at home I can be found at my computer working on digital photos and websites or in the basement which is divided into a clay studio on one side and a place for drawing and painting on the other. My wife and I also offer photography services to the Middlebury and Goshen areas.
Art History
My parents always encouraged my creative endevours. I don't think there is a craft that my mom doesn't enjoy. Over the years I've watched her work with stained glass, oil paint, baskets, quilts, and clothing. My dad also enjoys working with his hands. When he's not running a trucking company he is working on some kind of construction, carpentry or landscaping.
I think I've always enjoyed drawing. I remember carrying around a sketch pad as a kid and filling it with sports related drawings. In middle school I got to take some art classes and really enjoyed just about every project. I took as many art classes as I could in High School. I especially enjoyed painting at that time. After about a year at Huntington University I declared that Art Education would be my major. This allowed me a broad overview of art classes and media experiences. I decided to concentrate on oil painting and wheel thrown ceramics, especially when it came time for my two senior projects. After graduating I lived with my wife in a tiny apartment in Goshen. I took a break from clay and set up my easel behind the couch. I also got a DSLR camera and began exploring digital photography. When we bought a house three years later I started gradually building a clay studio in half of the basement and got an electric kiln set up in the garage. I use the other side of the basement for drawing, painting, and storing massive amounts of art supplies.
A Short Bio
I grew up in Brooklyn, Michigan with my mom, dad, and a younger brother. I attended Heart O' the Lakes Church and graduated from Columbia Central High School in 2000. I decided to go to Huntington University (while it was still called Huntington College) and recieved a degree in Art Education. I met my wife there and we were married the summer after graduating. We lived in Goshen for a few years and then bought a house in a more rural setting. I started taking classes at IUSB in 2008 to add a reading certification to my teaching license.
Other than art, I enjoy music, following my favorite sports teams, gaming, and trying to keep up with technology.