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| Like most kids, I started drawing before I knew what I was doing. As time went by, I found that I really liked the feel of a pencil in my hand, and the possibilities that existed between the lead and a blank sheet of paper. At age 6, my sister and I tied for first place in a contest for the local Lion's Club. We split the $5.00 prize; and, more than 40 years later, the fire that spark started is still burning wild in me.
I earned a Fine Art degree, then moved on to Sheridan College where I earned another diploma in Classical Character Animation. After a couple of years doing commercials in New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Texas, I was ready to make the move to LA. I spent years working on various feature films, TV shorts and commercials. Some of my fondest memories are of working with Bill Melendez and his crew on multiple "Peanuts" specials. In fact, I got my start in LA working on one of those shows. I did quite a bit of moonlighting on other television commercials and TV shows including "Garfield" and the "Ren and Stimpy Show."
During a slow period in LA, I was offerred a job in my home state of Texas directing a series of direct-to-video shorts for kids. This was a great chance to train some local Texas talent, and it paid off pretty well. While operating as a partner and artistic supervisor, I had the opportunity to help bring some LA feature work to Texas. We produced significant work on "Space Jam" and "Anastasia," as well as award-winning animation for Disney Interactive.
We were approached to produce a little TV pilot which later became a pretty big hit. It was called "King of the Hill." I was invited back to LA to become a director on that series, but I chose to stay in Texas to start up a new studio called Little Wolf Entertainment. Our first projects were feature Effects and Character animation on "Anastasia" and Morgan Creek's "The King & I." We also produced several short productions for DNA/Dick Clark Productions and the Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Restaurants.
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| Before long, I was invited to do my first work as a 3D animator on the DNA hit feature, "Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius." This was great fun, and over much too soon. I finished my contract feeling hungry for more 3D character animation.
Around that time, I was offerred something a little different...a chance to teach animation in a collegiate environment. This has proven to be a good move since I can continue to produce professional work, as well as keep up with the constantly changing face of digital and 3D technology...all while producing some of my own independent short works. I will complete an original TV pilot this year, and have moved well into some other creative development that has been brewing for a few years.
I am an active member of ASIFA-Colorado, a young, but thriving, organization. I continue to stay busy with independent and free-lance work that includes storyboards, character design, and both 2D and 3D animation production and direction. The experiences I've had working with other talented individuals and groups in Colorado has been quite refreshing. I enjoy training more young artists and being part of the effort to develop a strong, creative and enterprising animation community in this area.
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