I am currently in St. Petersburg Florida on the Gulf Coast. I am not originally from Florida. I am actually from Detroit.

A vocational class in commercial art and design at my High School got me into Graphic Design. I got involved in design as a necessity more than the love of doing it. When I graduated High School I hated art. In fact I graduated with four F’s and a single A. The F’s were in art courses.

When design is concerned I go where the money’s at. What I do is more Freelance.  I’ve had to be very versatile in order to make a living. Yes, My current real job is the head creative digital Illustrator for Dowling Graphics in Clearwater Fl. It’s a Tee Shirt art company. I have a lot of creative licenses.

My favorite part of my work is simple, making money. Other than that it’s just a job.

If I had the opportunity to work on one project or on one event, I honestly don’t know. Never really thought about it. I’ve done two illustrations representing The Taste of Palm Harbor and one for the Palm Harbor Parrot Head Party. Both are large events in the Tampa area. I’ve also done Murals for the Bishop Planetarium in Bradenton Florida, A larger mural for a Dr Thomas Russell on Bird Key Florida. And I painted several sculpted animals for the Green Cay Nature Center in West Palm Beach Florida. These are just a few of several things that I’ve done over the years. I’ve been in the business since the Dinosaurs walked the earth.

Advice for others? Walk by faith. I’m not talking religious but a state of mind. You have to believe that your going to be successful or you never will be even if your making money. Keep in mind that it’s a career. If you don’t work you don’t eat. So many people are looking for an easy route today. But I’ll tell you from experience, It’s not only cowardly but it leads no where. I sat around at time times feeling sorry for myself. It never led to anything. When I changed my mind set my life turned around. It’s not up to your teacher, your parents your friends and especially not your government. It’s all up to you. You make your life or you break your life. Adversity leads to strength. Don’t fear the trials. I’ve been through some really nasty things in this business and in life. I lived off ramen noodles and dry toast for a year. But I kept reminding myself that I was going to get though it and I did. I’m not rich yet. But so what. Tomorrow hasn’t been written yet. My point is… If you really want to do this then be prepared to make some sacrifices. The times can be hard but the rewards can be great.

The truth is I can’t name one person who helped me in my career. From the time I left high school it’s always been me and God. No one else has ever mentored me. Everything I’ve learned I’ve learned on my own. I’m not saying this out of pride. There were people who tried in my past but I didn’t listen. I wasted a lot of years beating my head against rocks because I fought advice rather that took it. I see things a lot clearer these days.

I have to force my creativity most of the time. My personal work comes fairly easily but the commercial work can be difficult. It’s not easy creating designs that are outside of my natural creative cycle. As for writers block. Stop thinking and just start doing it. Writers block is just fear of not being able to top your last piece. Who cares, just do it and it’ll come to you.

Other than Graphic Design, I’m passionate about living. I’ve gone from being suicidal to loving life. I did it by fighting the demons that have told me that I can’t and it will never happen. I’ve gone from living with out hope to living by faith. I had skin cancer last year. That sort of thing makes you stop and take a good look at life. You come to realize that life is what it is. Sure it’s tough but it’s not impossible. Enjoying the moment is where it’s at. The past is gone and future hasn’t been written yet. Right now is all there will ever be.

In the future I see myself as one of the top fantasy / pinup illustrators in the world. I’ve just been published on the rear cover of Heavy Metal Magazine, Nov 2009 Issue. I’m “The Next Evolution in Fantasy / Pinup Illustration, There’s nothing wrong with being confident as long as you don’t forget where you came from. My ultimate accomplishment is to be independently wealthy and retired on a pacific island.

Best Regards,

Greg