Born and raised in Austin, Texas, I was an Art teacher for 25 years. Drawing has been my passion since early childhood. Teaching Art allowed me to continue growing and developing as an artist, inspired by the many artists I presented to my students, especially Edward Gorey and Charles M. Schulz. In fact, while reading a biography of Gorey and a volume of Schulz's Complete Peanuts, I came up with the idea of "My 8-Year-Old Self."
Created in the summer of 2020, during the COVID lockdown, My 8-Year-Old Self is based loosely on my childhood experiences and the comics I drew at the time. My initial idea was to create a character who felt awkward and out of place, which is why he wears a spacesuit. (Plus, he thinks it makes him look cool!) So, to insulate himself from the stress of everyday life, he created his own comic book characters who also populate his fantasy world.
My 8-Year-Old Self began as a series of drawings I regularly posted on social media. I initially approached these as an Art series: planning, experimenting, and creating, similar to how my Advanced Drawing students work.
The first 50 drawings were completed traditionally with a ballpoint pen on bristol board paper.
As the series advanced, I experimented with working digitally, playing with color, and even simple animation. Ultimately I decided my method of cross-hatch shading was my preferred style and was able to find digital tools that allowed me to match the look of a ballpoint pen drawing closely.
I gathered the first 70 drawings and wove them into a story that follows My 8-Year-Old Self's adventures, mishaps, and triumphs through a year in his life.
My first book, My 8-Year-Old Self: A Year in the Life of a Geeky Introvert, is now available on amazon.com
I have two more books in mind for My 8-year-old Self and a long list of drawing ideas that will keep me busy for the next few years.
Book 2 is nearly complete and will be published in late 2024.
What is in store for My 8-Year-Old Self? I will only say that the second book will end on a cliffhanger, and the third book will deal with the results of that cliffhanger.
The adventures of My 8-Year-Old Self will continue, and I can't wait to see what happens!