This Is My Story

I grew up on my family’s dairy farm where I first found out the true meaning of work. I began drawing in grade school and around the house. Soon I was labeled the class artist. I continued to draw all the way until high school. But soon after attending classes, I felt forced to learn and draw things I did not care for. It really turned me away from art. I lost my freedom when the teacher wanted us to draw a bowl of apples or vase of flowers. Don’t get me wrong I see some artists and that is what they do and it looks amazing, but it wasn’t for me. I turned my creativity away for a couple of years after high school. It wasn’t until in 1999 when I decided to join the United States Marine Corps Reserves that I really knew I wanted to be an artist. It must have been the time from when I signed the papers to the actual time before I left for boot camp that I realized how precious life is. I imagined how all my freedoms were going to be stripped away. The thought of it fueled my creativity. I began to draw all the time to release my feelings. But soon it was time for me to go to Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. I had no idea what I got myself into. I couldn’t even go to the head (bathroom) without even asking for permission, let alone requesting to speak first. I survived and soon returned home after school in Fort Leonard, Missouri. Not being able to do what you want made me want to do so much. It’s an amazing feeling what can happen after something like that. I soon started drawing pictures all the time in my old bedroom at my parent’s home. I turned into a hermit. I left my room to do only the basic things of life like eat, shower, exercise and among other things go to the head. I had no education in arts and it didn’t matter, I was doing what I wanted to do. I kept doing my artwork and going to Green Bay, Wisconsin for the Marine Reserve’s one weekend a month. I learned from books at the library and studied pictures of my favorite artist’s. I continued to do what I loved doing even though people sent negativity my way. It actually gave me more energy to be an artist.  In 2000 I decided I’d go to school to be a graphic artist. I attended Milwaukee Area Technical College for the associates program where I learned a lot about computers and their programs. Even though I enjoy doing graphic design work and still use it to this day I just didn’t want to work for a company. Maybe it was my past experiences with being confined to creativity within boundaries that I decided to change my career path to a fine artist. I then continued to draw and soon paint on my own. I was then called up for active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was deployed with my unit from Green Bay in January 2003. It was a life changing experience to go over there. It truly made be believe that life is to short to be wasted away on wanting to do something. I made it back in one piece, and after only being over there for 5 months I returned back home. It is a blessing in disguise to witness the way of life over in Iraq. It made me and still makes me appreciate the freedoms that our country has to offer. I continue to strive as an artist and to do what I simply do, create art. I have been fortunate to fall in love with my wife Jean and our daughter Kathinh, who support everything I do.  We now had our second daughter Jolee who has become an inspiration for some of my work. 

We now live in Green Bay, Wisconsin. And this is my story.

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