BIOGRAPHY

Designer, musician and artist, specializing in
graphic, web/interactive, surface and textile design.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas.
Currently lives and works in Chicago.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My artwork is centered around semiotics and the recontextualization of universal iconography, often within repeat structures printed on fabric. Within this context are themes of convergence, abundance, generosity and sacrifice. Some of these narrative/associative themes are sociopolitical, others are personal, but the contemporary iconography used to illustrate these themes is intended to either enhance or subvert the historical implications of the fabric on which it is printed.

Much of my work is based around elementary shapes and patterns that, in many ways, seem so familiar even when they are not. I believe such things have a more powerful effect on viewers because we have learned to recognize the importance of - and connection to - visual simplicity. When we were small, complex ideas were always reduced to their very basic forms in order for us to recognize and familiarize ourselves with our environment and those with whom we would interact. I utilize these simplified, universal symbols because of their unique balance of specificity and generality. Each assemblage is an interaction of both amity and conflict, created to allow different meanings, associations, and experiences to be ascribed by those who encounter it.

09.2005 - 05.2007
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois
Master of Fine Arts : Studio Art : Visual Communication

01.2001 - 12.2004
University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio, Texas
Bachelor of Arts : Computer Graphic Arts magna cum laude
concentration graphic design
minor sociology


WORK

previous projects and undertakings have encompassed :

branding and identity design, including :

• logo design and letterhead suites
• creation & implementation of styleguides to adhere to brand standards

• invitations, greeting cards & calendars
• direct mail, promocards & sell sheets
• magazine advertisements with national circulation
• page layout & typesetting
• instructional & training materials, with illustration

• design & coding of HTML and Flash-based websites
• creating website enhancements & modifying pre-existing sites for greater emphasis on usability and ease of navigation
• design of e-blasts, resulting in improved viewership and delivery rates (up to 80%)
• executing multiple e-marketing initiatives {including viral-based strategies and targeting regional markets}

• packaging {food, soft goods & point-of-sale}
• point-of-purchase displays, CDUs and indoor/outdoor signage for
  national and internationally recognized brands
• in-store & internal marketing collateral

design for the music industry, including :

• album cover research and concept development
• promotional apparel
• concert ephemera

• soft goods and off-figure photography
• photo staging and styling {soft goods, off-figure, fashion & food}
• photo retouching, compositing and digital manipulation

illustration and calligraphy {digital & hand-rendered}

artistic commissions and collaborations

expert proficiency in Mac and Windows operating systems.

expert proficiency in the following programs and programming languages :

• Adobe Creative Suite and Acrobat
• QuarkXPress
• the former Macromedia creative suite
• Microsoft Office
• font management programs {e.g., Adobe Type Manager, Extensis Suitcase, Universal Type Client}
• HTML and CSS
• working knowledge of ActionScript
• working knowledge of jQuery

extensive experience in :

• copywriting
• product photography
• photo styling {soft goods, food and off-figure}
• visual merchandising
• post-production digital manipulation, compositing and retouching
• pattern design and creation
• screenprinting
• creation of large-scale artwork through digital and silkscreen processes on paper, textiles and alternative substrates

extensive study in :

• narrative architecture
• public art installation
• sociology
• design and media theory

knowledge of pre-press, print production & dieline creation.

knowledge of letterpress printing.

knowledge of conversational French, Spanish and Esperanto.

classically trained musician {violin, viola, piano, flute, drums, mandolin and theremin}.

• Argo Tea
• Blue Star Contemporary Art Center
• Christo and Jeanne-Claude
• Daniel Bedingfield
• Enya
• Lillstreet Art Center
• Michael's
• The Ordinary Boys
• Peak 6 Investments
• Prism LCD
• Realisation (UK)
• Steve Quick Jeweler
• Target
• The Found
• The Knot
• Walmart
• Wilton

11.2006
Día de los Muertos
Central Cultural Aztlán | San Antonio, Texas

05.2006
Again and Again...
Open End Gallery | Chicago, Illinois

03.2005
1st Annual National Student Design Show
Dallas Society of Visual Communications | Dallas, Texas

02.2005
Segundo de Febrero : The Birth of the American of Mexican Descent
Centro Cultural Aztlán | San Antonio, Texas

Logan Cantu.
Friend. Designer. Luchador. All-around badass.

Belen Aquino.
Friend. Sounding board. Über-talented photographer & frequent co-collaborator.

Bladon Conner.
Friend. Co-collaborator. Furniture designer, specializing in creative reconditioning and environmental sustanability.

Joseph Blalock.
Friend. Designer. Gearhead. Once bought an El Camino for $35.

Lawrence Jennings.
Friend. Artist. Provider of inspiring work. Impressive ability to find the most bizarre stuff on YouTube.

Billy Tuggle.
Writer. Verbalist. HipHop Culturalist. And his grandmother once owned the awesomest '70s couch in Chicago.