Nature inspired illustrations

Sea of Northern Maidens

a young female protagonist, navigating the tidal currents of matriarchy

Would you guess that I’m a water sign? The Sea and I have a long history, no matter how many times she tries to frighten me. I’m not working with this project anymore, but I thought the world building was interesting. Thoughts to keep in mind, the sea is cold. So I don't know how that red-headed one survives the temperatures being so thin. Also, when some of them sing, the sailors gladly drown to mute the melody.

Monkey's Tale

character development & world building

anthropomorphic zodiac animal Adventure

Mu Guai the Dandelion Samurai, was initially a zodiac adventure which featured a fight-for-hire monkey who roamed the Poultry Kingdom saving maidens as hired. There's no denying that I love the folklore exchange along the silk-road. However as I began to flush out the characters and the worldbuilding, I realised that my midwestern suburban ignorance was crowding out a culturally rich perspective. So I put the project on the back burner as I worked through a mountain of culturally relevant literature, film, and folkcrafts. Its taken me a bit longer than I expected to earn the breadth of experience and knowledge to tell a story outside of my own kingdom without offending the citizens inside it.This world building and character development is being revived for a 2-part graphic novel Tiger’s Eye and Monkey's Tale.Expected release Date 2028

Tiger's Eye

character development & world building

Alternative version of events to the Monkey Scrolls from his enemy's pov

Toko, The Cinnabar Samurai, is the opposite character of Mu Guai, The Dandelion Samurai. Each views the other as their enemy, but for dangerously similar reasons. After the Monkey Clan invaded and destroyed Toko's island home, Toko moved himself and the survivors to the Moon. From there, they would descend to the land, as harbingers of fluttering red moths would warn of Toko's Approach. Hiding in fire-dropping lanterns, The Toko would exact his revenge. The Cinnabar Moth is their heraldic symbol and his armor reflects his adoption of this insectile symbol.This worldbuilding and character development is being revived for a 2-part graphic novel Tiger’s Eye and Monkey's Tale.Expected release Date 2028

Burst

advertising publication illustration

When I made this image, I was working for a mid-sized graphic distribution company in North Texas. I was a staff artist, hired to render up pitch decks to corporate clients. This image was for a jewelry company, the keywords: cute, valentines, surprises. Ultimately they wanted something more upscale. Since this image didn't make it to advertising, I get to include it in my portfolio.

TV Sketches

Winding down from the day with a little moving image inspiration

What I like about digital free-play is less messy color. Sometimes the final image is a direct to screen doodle, but something I’m working ontop of a pencil sketch that I made the previous night. Either way its an opportunity to play with new color pallet, brushes, or characters for upcoming stories.

Sketchbook Pages

A sketchbook is a sandbox to another kid.

I've kept a regular sketchbook going since i was dragged into church as a kid. Thirty-six books later, i drag out a book whenever I'm waiting in-line or hiding behind a desk.

The Third Fairy

Exhibition zine

A Hungarian folktale spread by sailors...
My version played with the Hunter in the original tale.
In this zine, the protagonist is known as, "The Hunting Princess".
We met her in the warm ashes of her previous lover.
She meets A crow who compels her into a chase of romance.
Seeking an enchant from a lover, she ventures into a different woodland.
In classical folklore fashion, be careful what you hunt for…

Moonflower

World Building, Plot Development

graphic novel about a florist on the moon, with a naughty duck.

It's five days until Race Day.Pilots from Earth and the Moon team-up to sail through the lunar mining canyons.“Al”, is not a pilot in the race. He is just a florist who’s swamped this week. In fact, Al normally closes his shop to avoid the chaotic jubilee. However, recent explosions have rattled the celebratory peace as well as his greenhouse windows.Will the pandemonium from deliveries cover the cost of his repairs? Or will he let family history accelerate his own destructionExpected release date 2027