I grew up the shores of the Pamlico Sound learning the many backwaters and attaining a love for fishing and the coastal life. I then attended East Carolina University which draws upon the pirate lore of the coastal region for their mascot. Upon graduation I remained near the coast focusing on the career I had gone to school for but soon discovered that my real inspiration was coastal marine life and art. I then began my journey of producing my version of many of the sea creatures real and imagined found in my home coastal waters as well as pirate lore inspired pieces.