Q: Where do you usually find inspiration?

A: Inspiration can hit you from all sides, it’s a little flicker of fleeting thoughts zipping through space that you just have to be receptive to. Oftentimes for me it’s music that triggers the thought, I listen to all sorts of genres and always have the question in my mind “what would a movie feel like with this playing?” Suddenly a little thought will spring to mind “What if it’s like this? What if then this happened? What if the world was these colors instead?” It’s a little act of play that you can do with your mind when you remain open to seemingly childlike questions. Other times inspiration will spring forth in a sudden strong emotion, feeling intense joy, anger or sadness, and trying to find the ways to express myself and share these thoughts and feelings with others. In those cases the art is less about answering my own questions, and more about a desire to connect to those around me.

Q: What is your favorite medium/tool/program for creating art at the moment?

A: I make all my backgrounds in Clip Studio Paint! Though I also have learned to love Blender in recent years- a free, open source program that can do 3D AND 2D animation? It’s an incredibly powerful tool that I see so many incredible artists developing new styles with daily.

Q: Do you have a personal connection to this volume's gaming theme? What came to mind when you first heard about it?

A: Videogames taught me how to read! I really struggled with reading, but I received a GameBoy Color for my 8th birthday along with a copy of Pokemon Blue. I loved Pokemon so much that I pushed through my learning difficulties and suddenly had a very advanced vocabulary for an 8 year old that included words like ‘Withdraw’ and ‘Guillotine’.

Games became a massive pillar in my life, being the starting point of many friendships, the reason I pursued a career in the arts, and even the first conversation I had with my now-wife was about videogames! Even as I write this I’m wearing a pair of shorts that have video game controllers all over them XD It’s safe to say I wouldn’t be who I am today without videogames.

Q: Is there a story or anything you want the subscribers to know about your art pieces featured in this volume?

A: Gaming Grove is inspired by my childhood. I grew up on the edge of a forest with lots of frogs and rabbits. My parents would always tell me I needed to go and play outside more, so I would sneak my Gameboy away into the woods behind our house, climb up a tree, and continue my game among the critters, wind and rustling leaves. I also wanted to evoke how games can be both comforting solo-adventures, while also a source of community, showing little critters helping each other play, competing against each other, and just enjoying each other's company with some parallel play.

Q: What is the inspiration or story behind your heart drawing?

A: My heart drawing is designed as a souvenir sticker for my original world “The Far Shore” , a beach moon at the edge of the galaxy inspired by my home of Los Angeles. Much like Los Angeles, The Far Shore is made up of people from all walks of life with all kinds of dreams, just looking to find their way among the stars.

Q: What is your favorite video game or franchise?

A: This one is tough! Pokemon probably takes the top spot because it’s how I met my wife (And our wedding dance was to pokemon music), but #2 is probably the Final Fantasy franchise, with FFVIII and FFIX being my personal favorites.

Q: What is your favorite tidbit of advice for creatives & artists?

A: Just keep creating, the best way to improve at the things you want to make is to keep making them. Experience is the best teacher. It is all too easy in this day and age to get bogged down by what-ifs, imposter syndrome, unfair comparisons, and never end up creating because you think you are ‘not enough’- but the world will be a more beautiful and vibrant place if you are willing to brave the vulnerability of creation, and share your art with the world.

Q: Is there anything we didn’t ask that you’d like to share?

A: In an era where anyone has the ability to generate images and call it art, I implore you to ask more from the media you consume and the creators behind it. Avoid the processed frozen food equivalent, and feed your soul with homemade, handcrafted art made by people who really care.