Who inspired me to be an artist?

The truth is, my path to becoming a professional artist was anything but direct. But then, the winding roads are often the most interesting.

Early Sparks

I’ve been making things for as long as I can remember — and even before that, if family stories are to be believed. One of the earliest: I once disappeared into my room with a small green notepad and emerged hours later with a fully constructed paper typewriter — frame, roller, keys, everything. When it didn’t actually type, I destroyed it in frustration, to my mother’s horror.

Another time, at around two years old, I woke before my parents, found a brand‑new block of cheddar cheese in the fridge, and “painted” every surface in the kitchen with it. By sunrise, the room was a warm orange‑yellow and the cheese was reduced to a nub.

Growing up, I always had paper, sketchpads, and the occasional art class. By high school, I was drawing detailed pencil sketches — mostly comics and characters from books or games — with a love for intricate shading.

College and Collapse

I started college in computer science with a music minor, then switched to psychology. I worked at a psychiatric hospital and taught martial arts, eventually getting accepted into a doctoral program. Then, one ordinary morning, I bent to pick up my keys, felt a sharp pop in my back, and collapsed.

The injury was severe. For months, I could only crawl short distances. Recovery took years, a surgery, and a lot of patience. Somewhere in that time, I got married, worked from home as a stock trader, and even traveled — wheelchair and cane in tow.

A Shift in Perspective

During my recovery, I played World of Warcraft and listened to a podcast called The Instance, hosted by artist and podcaster Scott Johnson. Curious, I explored his other work — including his webcomic — and learned about his life. Here was an artist with a thriving career, a family, and a home. It shattered the “starving artist” myth I’d carried since high school.

That realization was the spark I needed. I began drawing again in my free time, slowly rebuilding my skills.

The Leap

Then came the 2008 market crash. I lost my trading job, my wife was pregnant, and the house we rented was being foreclosed. I took an office job doing Excel programming, but it drained me. My wife noticed the toll it was taking and urged me to stop.

So I did. I threw caution to the wind and committed to working as a freelance artist.

The aftermath

Years later, I’m here — working as a professional artist, running my own studio, raising an amazing son, and surrounded by a family I love. Life feels full, and I’m grateful for every twist that brought me here.

So, who inspired me to become an artist? The truth is, there’s no single answer. I was born with the urge to make and create. My mother nurtured that spark from the start. Scott Johnson showed me that an artist can build a thriving, happy life. My wife encouraged me to take the leap professionally and has stood beside me every step of the way. And beyond them, there’s a long list — friends, mentors, colleagues, and every person who has ever offered support, inspiration, or kindness.

In short, it wasn’t one person. It was every positive influence in my life. That’s who.

Thank you for reading my story — and for being part of it. If you’d like to follow along with my latest work, exhibitions, and projects, you can connect with me on social media or join my newsletter for updates, behind‑the‑scenes insights, and special releases.

Below, you’ll find my “influence map” — a visual snapshot of the people, places, and ideas that have shaped me. The larger the section, the greater the impact.