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Background:
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As a child, I had a very strong relationship with the outdoors. Watching animal behavior and experiencing nature first hand were my favorite things to do. Knowing that being an outdoorsman was going to play a huge role in my life, I thought that pursuing a career in wildlife biology would be the only way for me to go. However, I can remember always being the creative type. I often times found myself building model cars, carving wooden objects, and of course, sketching with pencils. Although, I didn't realize that this artistic side of me would soon turn into a passion that I love so dearly.
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Education:
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I like to consider myself as being a self-taught artist. Although, as early as elementary school I was taking advantage of the "art" classes my school district offered. I never took them very seriously and more so enrolled in them because they offered a chance to free up my school day, earn credits towards my graduation, and allowed me fufill my artistic cravings. Throughout junior and senior highschool I took every art class I was allowed to take. I often found myself bored of drawing and painting spheres and still life my teachers would have setup for the class. However, I utilized my time wisely by observing certain techniques my classmates had perfected and practicing on my own skills as well. It wasn't until my senior year in highschool that I actually thought I may want to be pursuing my art beyond the classroom. It was a particular teacher who helped me realize that my art may be desirable to more than just myself. I currently attend to the University of North Dakota (UND) where I am pursuing an education in Wildlife Biology. I hope to one day work for a state game and fish department while I continue to pursue my dream of becoming a well known artist.
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FAQ's:
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Where do you get your inspiration?
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I would have to say that I get most of my inspiration from spending time in the outdoors. Almost year-round I spend hours on end out in the woods or on the lake where I'm constantly studying my surroundings and observing animal behavior. Another place that inspires me is DeviantART.com where there is practically an unlimited supply of artworks to browse through. I have been a member there for five years and it never fails to keep me motivated and inspire me. Contact me if you would like to know my username.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to improve their drawing skills?
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I always say that a drawing is only as good as how much time the artist is willing to spend on it. Of course, having patience isn't going to make anyone a perfect drawer. However, being able to complete a really good drawing is not possible without having patience and self-discipline. That being said, you must always go considerably slow and stand back to see what your doing as often as you can. Each of my drawings always begin with carefull planning as well. I never just simply pick up my pencil and start making lines. Proportion is a very critical aspect of drawing. I make sure that I lightly sketch in every major detail with respect to proper proportion before I begin seriously adding fine detail. Being able to visualize three-dimensionality is also an important aspect to drawing realism. So make sure that you begin by completing the background first before adding foreground detail; such as the main focus itself.
Besides drawing, How do you spend your free-time?
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I am a member of the UND cycling team. So nearly six days out of the week I enjoy spending several hours of each trainning hard for either an upcoming event or our spring collegiate race season. Riding my bike helps me break up my day and clears my mind of the stresses that every college student faces. I also enjoy any outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, hunting, ect. Archery is something that I also enjoy on a regular basis. Whether it be participating in competitions held by my local archery club or honing my skills for the upcoming deer season, I like to do it all. I am generally a very competitive individual, so anything with some good competition is a good time for me; whether it be friendly or serious. All in all, I just like to have a good time with what ever it may be.
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