More about me!

Born and raised in Westchester, California,  I was lucky to have access to California's beautiful landscapes enjoying the sunshine and access to the beaches, deserts, and mountainous terrain. As my love for skateboarding and the culture that surrounded it in the late 90’s early 2000’s I began to find myself listening to early punk albums, reading zines, and engulfing myself in the counter-cultures associated with it at the time.

After high school I studied at Santa Monica Community College focusing my studies on fine art (painting and drawing). After my first semester I took a 6 month hiatus as a road crew member for The Orangeburg Massacre (punk/hardcore band).

Upon my return I worked on my skills as a fine artist and had an itch to showcase in galleries. I saw an opportunity after the 2008 recession to collaborate with other artists and rent abandoned spaces around town to host DIY underground art shows under the flagship Art Sux Anyways.

As time continued on I found a love and appreciation for making flyers, and other promotional items to promote the art events around Los Angeles, which quickly turned from fine art to a fascination with wanting to learn how to design.

Which is how I found my way to San Francisco. With no job and an uncertainty about my acceptance to the San Francisco Art Institute, I landed a job taking people's photos at the SF Zoo where I would work until I was accepted at SFAI as a Design and Technology Major.

I focused my studies on learning about branding, the history and theory of graphic design, and even branched out in my senior year to build a furniture line concept paired with a full visual identity to bring it to life. The flexibility on concepting that SFAI allowed me has really helped in my development as a Creative Director and Graphic Design mentor.

I was fortunate enough to land a mentorship with The Werehaus where we worked on establishing their brand guidelines (my first real experience). After graduation I returned to LA where the stars aligned and I was fortunate enough to land a design role with American Apparel where I would spend my first 2 months living between LA and NY helping a team re-design the stores around Manhattan. It would be my first experience working in a professional environment.

I was mentored by Benno Russel, the CD at American Apparel. I spent a year soaking up his knowledge and that of his mentors (some residual members of the Bauhaus). At the same time I was still installing art with another mentor Craig Steckyk III (one of the founders of Dogtown and the Z boys).

As I made my way through the fashion industry in LA I was presented with an opportunity to work with The Arbor Collective. My childhood dreams of working in the action sports industry had finally come true. I Left an amazing pay opportunity at Lucky Brand to make next to nothing to pursue my passion in designing skate and snow boards.

I hopped over to Wasseman shortly after working with NBA legend BJ Armstrong (member of the Chicago Bulls during the Jordan era), and various other prominent figures and brands associated with the company.

Taking only the things I could fit in my Nissan Maxima I decided to head to Boise Idaho, a town I had grown to love when touring. I landed here not knowing if I would continue with design or art, and to my surprise I was able to continue my role as a contractor and consultant with some recognizable and not so recognizable brands. 

With 10 years and counting in my profession I have been very lucky to say I have had great mentors, and an amazing experience learning from some very talented people. I hope this has helped you in learning a little more about who I am and the experiences I’ve had. If you’re looking for help shoot me an email, would love to do some rad things together.