Presently, I live with my wife and two daughters in Bristol, IN. I am a full time teacher and enjoy creating things in my free time.
Previous Art Experience
My parents always encouraged my creative endeavors. 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 often 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 sampling of art classes and media experiences. I decided to concentrate on oil painting and wheel thrown ceramics. After graduating, my wife and I lived 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 the basement and set up an electric kiln in the garage.
I have taken a break from painting and most two dimensional work to concentrate on pottery and a few digital projects. I am lucky to live near Goshen which is becoming quite a hub for creative people. There are a number of potters in my area that I look up to and continue to learn from.
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 received 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. We have been blessed with two great kids and I look forward to watching them grow. When I’m not teaching or creating things, I’m probably watching football, enjoying the outdoors or reading.