My Artistic Journey

My journey with a paintbrush began almost as soon as I could hold one. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the unique ability of art to communicate, to soothe, and to inspire. This path was never walked alone; it has been shaped by a community of mentors, fellow creators, and the diverse landscapes of my life.

My first and most enduring mentor is my father, an art teacher whose life is a testament to the power of creativity. Watching him dedicate himself to nurturing young artists instilled in me not just a love for making art, but a profound respect for the role of the teacher. He showed me that art is not a solitary pursuit but a shared language. This foundation was later fortified by my high school art teacher, Mrs. Herbster, who provided the rigorous technical training and unwavering encouragement that gave me the confidence to pursue art as a profession.

My formal education at the University of Kansas in Illustration and Animation immersed me in the fellowship of a vibrant creative community, a network that has only expanded through my own work as a high school art teacher. This sense of global connection was profoundly deepened by my time serving in the U.S. Army in South Korea. Experiencing new cultures and perspectives firsthand broadened my understanding of the world and solidified my belief in art’s role as a universal bridge.

These threads—mentorship, technical discipline, global awareness, and creative community—all converged into a single, clear vision during a late night of Brigade Staff Duty in 2021. Fueled by caffeine and the clarity that only sleep deprivation can sometimes bring, the concept for “The Helpful Honeybee” came to me fully formed. It is more than a children’s book; it is the culmination of my journey, a project that marries my impressionist-inspired aesthetic with a deep, urgent call for environmental stewardship and sustainable coexistence. It is my small way of using art to nurture, to teach, and to contribute to the world, much like the incredible mentors and fellow artists who have guided me along the way.

Distinctive Creative Features

A closer look at what makes hillustration’s art and stories shine

My painting practice is a dedicated exploration of Impressionist technique, adapted for the vibrant and fast-drying nature of acrylics. I work with a thick, impasto application, building the canvas surface with short, textured strokes that capture the essence and energy of a subject rather than its precise details. I am fascinated by the use of broken color and optical mixing, juxtaposing pure, intense hues directly on the canvas to create a luminous, vibrant illusion of light and movement, rather than blending colors smoothly on the palette.

A crucial element that makes this approach possible is my customized palette system. To combat the quick-drying nature of acrylics and allow for the spontaneous, “wet-into-wet” workability essential to the style, I use a tray layered with moist paper towels sealed by a sheet of wax paper. The paint is arranged on top of the wax paper, which allows just enough moisture to seep through from below to keep the paints workable for extended periods, without becoming diluted. This simple yet effective setup is my key to maintaining the fluidity and spontaneity that defines my work.