At the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. Photo credit: Kevin Hedgecock
After graduating college, I caught a one-way bus to New York City, got lost looking for a bathroom, and ended up with a successful (if fleeting) career selling animation to the world’s top advertising agencies.
I talked my way into the comic book industry, illustrating for Valiant and ElfQuest (if you’re into those sorts of things). I’ve also done a spot of storyboarding for the movie industry.
My tiny apartment was only a mile from the World Trade Center, and after the second attack, I wanted to be far from future terrorists. I relocated to New Orleans…just in time for Hurricane Katrina.
You learn what’s important when your City is under attack or underwater, and I don’t abandon things just because they are hurt. I bought a flooded, termite-ridden heap in the 9th Ward, & lived in it with my then-partner while we put it back together. I’ve never worked so hard in my life. The first time I turned on the bathroom light and faucet at the same time, I sobbed like a child. We take so much for granted.
Before. My place took about four feet of water. If it wasn’t for the flood, I wouldn’t have know about the termite damage.
After. It’s…better
Now my home is a warm, sparkling, gallery-sanctuary of creativity and connection.
I painted a disco porch pony to match, because who wouldn’t?
I wrote the book I wish someone had given me when I was starting out, and told that I’d never turn the pictures in my head into a roof over it. They were wrong.
“Lightsurfing: Living Life in the Front of My Mouth“ is an illustrated, anecdotal, autobiographical journey of what it takes to carve your own path in the world. You can get a copy of it here.