I identity as an illustrator, designer, artist, and — overall — lover of all visual communication.
I’m a jack of all trades that produces a variety of creative projects including (but not limited to): stylized illustrations, paintings, posters, stickers, and more (via both digital and traditional art, design, and illustration processes). I’ve always been a creative person, and that dictates my entire life; my academic interests, therefore, are no exception. After graduating from Coastal Carolina University with BAs in Studio Art and Graphic Design in 2020, I was accepted into the University of South Carolina’s M.F.A program. There, I acted as grad assistant and instructor of record for various drawing and illustration courses (before graduating in May of 2023). While heading such classes and completing my M.F.A project, Life/line, I taught introductory, art courses at Coastal Carolina University (an environment where I currently teach introductory and senior-level graphic design courses about topics like type, environmental design, identity systems design, & more).
My interests in traditional studio art, illustration, and graphic design govern my creative identity. My three practices fuse them together; through them, I shift between materials, aesthetics, and conceptual choices depending on the project at hand. How does this manifest? Allow me to elaborate: I have three main creative interests: 1) making conceptual, experimental illustrations that – through symbology – tell compelling stories about myself + the world around me; 2) creating illustrations that are strictly formal, and allow me to practice rendering images of people, places, & things). That process strengthens the technique of everything I do illustratively; but I can’t just do TWO things… I must do more. I’m also 3) deeply motivated & driven by the world of graphic design; there’s something about it’s call for intent – as well as the way in which it ‘solves problems’ – that’s so intriguing. My design work, on the other hand, allows me to create meaningful visuals for a clear, creative purpose (be it for myself, in a personal design project, or a paying client).
So, art – for me – is physically, spiritually, and emotionally transformative; it can also, however, be technically + materialistically harnessed to reinforce my illustrative abilities. Design, on the other hand, lets me create imagery with clear a clear objective. I am a “creative chameleon”… I can hone into different creative making practices whenever I want. And all I operate in calls upon my illustration skills.
Education
The University of South Carolina
1211 Wheat St, Columbia, SC 29208
Master of Fine Arts
Graduated: May 2023 (Cumulative 4.0 GPA)
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Coastal Carolina University
100 Chanticleer Dr E Conway, SC 29528
Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art
Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design
Graduated: May 2020 (Magna Cum Laude, Cumulative 3.9 GPA)
Previous Shows
2020 — Coastal Carolina University Senior Art Studio Exhibition
2020 — Coastal Carolina University Senior Graphic Design Exhibition
2021 — McMaster Gallery 66th Annual Juried Student Exhibition; 1st Place Graduate Student Award
2021 — Through Our Eyes: 2021 UofSC SVAD Photography Exhibition
2022 — Coastal Carolina University Alumni Invitational Exhibition
2023 — Life/line: M.F.A. Art Exhibition
Professional Experience
2020-21 — Graduate Teaching Assistant, Drawing 1 — University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC)
2021 — Instructor of Record, Drawing 1 — University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC)
2022 — Instructor of Record, Drawing 1 — University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC)
2022 — Instructor of Record, Digital Image Making — Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC)
2023 — Instructor of Record, Drawing 1 — University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC)
2023 — Visiting Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Art & Design Courses — Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC)
2024 — Visiting Assistant Professor of Graphic Design — Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC)
2025 — Visiting Assistant Professor of Graphic Design — Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC)
Published Works, Products, Press
2024
Editorial Illustration Project, Tapestry Magazine (S24) // Cover, Portrait, + Select Spread Illustrations
For insight into creating this project, check out my Instagram and/or YouTube!
2022
Work Feature // Coastal Now Alumni Invitational Art Show YouTube Video
2021
Editorial Illustration Project, Tapestry Magazine (F21) // Inked, Hand Drawn Scenes of CCU Edwards College Humanities of Fine Arts Environments
T-shirt Illustration Project // Creating Apparel Graphics for Simple Charity’s Justice, Charity, Solidarity Comfort Colors T-shirt
2020
Winner, Archarios Literary Art Magazine no. 29 // 2nd Place Best in Show for Artwork “Feast”; Inclusion of Artwork “Prom Queen”
Chill & Color Club Digital Coloring Book Participant
2019
Listed Artist, Archarios Literary Art Magazine no. 28 // Inclusion of Artwork “PETITION”
2018
Lead Student Illustrator for the A Little Chicken and Rice Kit & Booklet // The Athenaeum Press (Conway, SC)