Biography
Born and raised in Muncie, IN. I received my BFA degree in studio art with a concentration on drawing from Ball State University. I then went to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for a Masters Degree in Printmaking. While living in Carbondale I made a living as a window washer. I have been teaching art at the university level since graduating from SIU in 2000. I have taught in Missouri at Culver-Stockton University; in Indiana at Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis and Taylor University. I also worked as a barista while I lived in Indiana. I currently live in Kankakee, Illinois and teach studio art (drawing, painting and printmaking) at Olivet Nazarene University.
Why do you like to print?
When I was a student at Ball State I focused primarily on drawing. I love to draw. I put off the required printmaking class because I felt that printmaking was somehow secondary to drawing and painting. When I finally got to the class and made my first print I was absolutely head over heals in love with the medium. I just connected with the process of creating a matrix and then making multiples to share and trade with my friends. Everything about it is just fabulous to me, especially the wonderful surprise I get when I lift the paper off the block or plate to reveal the image. And, of course, nothing can compare to the smell of a print shop!
Favorite Print Medium, Why?
The woodcut is my favorite. I really enjoy the graphic quality and the unique mark that I can create with the various carving tools. I love the fact that there is no other way to get that kind of mark. I also love the simplicity of woodcut printing. All I need are just a few carving tools and a piece of wood; I don’t even need a press, just an old wooden spoon to rub the back of the paper onto the inked up block.
How long have you been printing and how has your work evolved?
What inspires you?
The Holy Spirit
How do you promote your work?
I am still working on that. I am open to ideas that others might have. I am not able to quit my day job yet; that would be nice to do sometime, though. I look for every opportunity to talk about my work: I blog; I tweet; I Facebook. Also, I try to get my work into shows as often as I can. I am an art professor at a university so that takes a lot of the time that I would otherwise be working on marketing and promotion. When I do have extra time, I like to create work.
Are you working on any particular projects now?
I am currently working on a series of cuts that tell the story of Christ. Also, I am trying to fill up another sketchbook. I get lots of ideas and inspiration from keeping a sketchbook.
Tell us one random fact about yourself.
