I was introduced to architectural rendering when I enrolled in the architecture program at North Dakota State University in 1987. I was already interested in art and drawing – however, the idea of the “starving artist” didn't appeal to me so I decided to translate my interest in art to the field of architecture. I graduated from NDSU in 1992 with BA in architecture but for the next seven years I didn't have very many opportunities to develop my rendering skills as I became more of a project architect dealing only with technical aspects of the projects. I wanted to work more in the artistic areas of architecture rather than the technical aspects. At that time, I was working for Ellerbe Becket in Minneapolis. When other architects in the firm learned of my interest in rendering, I was offered the opportunity to do more architectural renderings in the office. I was uncertain about whether this would work for me as I had envisioned that I would be a project designer, using my design and drawing skills on my projects. I had a change of mind about this path after spending three days on Block Island in Rhode Island at a watercolor workshop with architectural illustrator Frank Costantino. I was very impressed by his professionalism and the way he presented himself as a true artist within the context of architectural illustration. I had been working under the impression that a full-time “illustrator” was someone who worked alone, removed from the process of designing. After meeting Frank and learning about his work, I was able to see that I could really focus on my true passion – illustration – and still be involved with architects and designers in a new way. Soon after that, I discovered Adobe Photoshop as another tool in my illustration work and I became even more interested in doing rendering full time. I was excited about the possibilities of using digital media in the process of illustration. Then, in 2002 I started my own business, Creative Media Illustration. My focus has been working with architects from across the United States on projects around the world. |