I decided to become an Illustrator and Comic Artist because I tried abstract art early in my career and discovered that stories must be foundational to everything I paint, design, and create. Thus, stories are now where I live. This historical Roman military legend, reimagined as a fantasy comic, primarily caught my eye due to the theme: “Never discount the impossible.” Comics are special to me because the reader fills in the blanks between the panels of art and becomes a part of the creation process.
For the medium, I chose ink washes and a digital process that begins with pencil sketches, transitions to inking by hand, and then is scanned and colored digitally using Photoshop (most recently with Clip Studio Paint). This hybrid process allows me to explore each page up to the final stages, balancing creative freedom with the need for efficiency. The critical element of my sequential artwork is the story itself. Visually creating drama and energy through digital and inking steps becomes essential as I work through the entire process of storyboarding the sequential art. Sharing the anti-hero’s journey presents many challenges, as does working through each stage of comic production—from writing the story to character research and layout design—much like directing a film.
Finding my voice as an artist has been a journey of twists and turns, much like the epic stories that inspire me. J.R.R. Tolkien’s works deeply influence my approach to storytelling, particularly his ability to weave richly layered worlds where the struggles of flawed, complex characters mirror timeless human experiences. His themes of hope, resilience, and the triumph of the small and unexpected resonate with my own narrative goals. Through my art, I aim to create stories that balance the grand with the intimate, inviting readers to explore the tensions between order and chaos, light and shadow, and the courage it takes to face the impossible.
