Here's where you curious types can find out something about me. I graduated Western Washington University in 2005 with a BA in History. However, long before I was interested in history, I practiced drawing and painting. Eventually the two came together (if art is fun and history is fun, then historical artwork must naturally be really fun!) I bring my enthusiasm for history to my artwork through attention to detail and use of lively, but accurate, colors in scenes that today exist only in black and white photos. My goal is to provide a glimpse into other times and places.
At some point I got oil pencils, which were sold by Walnut Hollow, a company that specializes in woodworking supplies. When my parents re-modeled their kitchen, they gave me the old cabinet doors. It occurred to me that I could use the oil pencils to draw on them. That worked so well that I now collect wood whenever I can and make stuff to sell at craft bazaars or for commissions. Most of the pictures are drawn directly on oak panels, though other woods are occasionally available. The choice of wood determines how much grain texture peeks through the pencil. The panels measure not more than 3' in any dimension, with most pictures closer to 1' to 2'.
I also enjoy photography. In 2006, I interned at Homestead National Monument, located near Beatrice, NE. This gave me lots of new places to take pictures of. I started a scavenger hunt for old service stations, and I gathered those photos together in a book entitled Service. I continue to take photos as I do seasonal work around the country. At the moment my camera is a Canon A590, though my older pictures were taken with a Canon A75 or a 1970s era Yashica.
In the past I've also done fantasy and sci-fi artwork. Other interests, in no particular order: computers and computer games, VWs, Star Trek (DS9 is the best!), politics, movies, gemstones, gardening, bicycling, carpentry, etc...