I began working in 1987 as an illustrator of sorts. I collected modest sums to “draw things.” Concert venues, newspapers and local advertisers all thought I was good enough for them, so I doodled and they paid me. As a 17-year-old I was in heaven!
During college, I began working with musicians and larger venues doing poster art. And finally, after completing the Creative Sequence at the University of Texas at Austin, I joined Leo Burnett in Chicago. I suppose that’s what we can call the beginning of my professional career.
Since those early days, I’ve worked for some of the biggest agencies in America. And within the walls of those agencies, I’ve been lucky enough to work on some of the biggest brands in America: Land Rover, Krispy Kreme, Tabasco, Kohler, San Antonio Tourism, Charles Schwab, State Farm, McDonald’s, Miller Lite, Pennzoil, Americans for the Arts, American Legacy, AT&T, etc. etc. etc.
When I was 25, I took a break from the commercial world and led the design department of Time Warner’s “Texas Lawyer” trade publication in Dallas. It took me a year, but I completely redesigned the weekly and then returned to Austin (and advertising) to begin a 10-year stint at GSD&M. Since then I’ve enjoyed working with a variety of musicians, authors, advertisers and designers doing whatever seems interesting to me and literally living a dream: making art and getting paid to do it.
As far as titles go, I simply call myself an Art Director. It seems like the best way to describe my skill set. I’ve been a Creative Director, a Design Director, a manager, a designer, a creative judge at numerous award shows, a “Senior Manager,” an Associate, a junior… all the titles seem a little meaningless at this point. In the end, Art Director covers all of the bases.
Awards? Yes.
The last two things that I’d like to say about myself are:
1. I believe the writing is as important as anything else when it comes to a concept being as great as it can be. So, as you’re viewing my work, please read the copy. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some of the best writers out there, and it’s truly the combination of their craft and mine that makes these ads (and design pieces) as effective as they are.
2. I do “appropriate” work. Which means that if the imagery needs to be shocking, then I make it shocking. Some people might be offended by a few of the pieces that I’ve included, but I stand behind them. Not everything is pretty. Honesty wins the day when telling some of the stories that I’ve been asked to tell over the years. And everything you feel when you see this stuff, I mean for you to feel.
Ok, that’s it.
Thank you for looking at the site. I hope you enjoy it.