blog
SPRK Go-Karts
I was commissioned by SPRK Lighting to create a package of conceptual renders illustrating how they might dynamically light a go-kart track for a client with dozens of go-kart facilities across the US.
Haunters Wanted!
I designed Haunters Wanted! as a reverse-haunt experience where kids and their grownups get to do the scaring! Called upon by the late candy heiress Carmelia Beuchaunters herself, guests help their ghostly hostess trigger different “haunted” effects in order to scare away the meddlesome and silly production crew of a ghost-hunting TV show. Young kids love to jump out and surprise people, and they’ll be giggling like ghouls when they see the over-the-top reactions the ghost hunters have to their scares.
Ocean Outpost at Sandy Bay, Jamaica
My inner pirate was incredibly excited to be commissioned by Melody Matheny of Melody Matheny Designs to create two huge murals for a newly developed mixed-use space at CHUKKA's Ocean Outpost. The first mural I created was for an 8'x28' wall and depicted the 160-acre property as it would have looked in 1746; the second mural was for the ceiling of the same space, and depicted many of the native species one should be on the lookout for when exploring the property. Both murals were rendered in the style of a mid-1700s map, with thousands of intersecting ink lines and lots of hidden illustrative details.
Vulcan Reimagining
I was honored to work alongside John Kelton of Kelton Design and Phillip Ratliff of Backstory Educational Media to create a full package of conceptual renders for Vulcan Park & Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. The creative team turned to me to conceptualize several reimagined exhibit spaces, focusing on history, inclusivity, and accessibility.
Dragonslayer
Dragonslayer is a hypothetical coaster which pays homage to 80s sword-and-sorcery films. I was inspired by equine motocoasters like Pony Express at Knott's Berry Farm or Steeplechase at Luna Park, but differentiated my concept by making it medieval rather than western… and adding this massive dragon!
Easter Bunny Eggspedition
Eggspedition: Easter Bunny is a hypothetical dark ride concept that takes riders on a tour of the Easter Bunny’s burrow via ride vehicles designed to look like Fabergé eggs. The Easter Bunny is reimagined here as a kind of renaissance master, sculpting chocolate statues and painting frescos on eggs within his burrow-based art studio. As guests travel down the winding tunnels of his burrow, they take on the role of his honorary apprentices and see just how the magic of Easter comes together.
Lumystica by Lightswitch
Created by Lightswitch, Lumystica is a dazzling touring event of circus-inspired fun. I created three pieces of highly-stylized concept art, reminiscent of traditional block print posters but with a fittingly modern and funky twist. The art depicts a kaleidoscopic hall of mirrors; a room of circled circus wagons and shimmering astral lanterns; and an interactive game featuring an old-time circus organ!
Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens
Working as a contractor under Lightswitch and FractaVisual, I rendered three pieces of concept art representing a gorgeous holiday event hosted by the historic Long Island park. Each image depicts a separate space in the garden: the West Pond, adorned with floating lanterns; the Lily Pond, with magically-glowing water lilies; and the central promenade, with a canopy of spectral lights.
Loneliness
I've designed several editorial covers in my ongoing relationship with Angelus Magazine, and LA-based publication with a readership of 175,000 people each week. This one, however, felt particularly close to home, as it deals with something I am constantly faced with in my counseling work: the epidemic of childhood and adolescent loneliness.
Mural - SunCoast Primate Sanctuary
I was connected with the new ownership of SunCoast Primate Sanctuary, who have been working to refurbish the exhibits of several of their resident chimpanzees. They asked me to create a mural for one chimp in particular, named Bobby.
The Crabwalk at Decapod Dunes
For a course on 3D modeling for concept art taught by Luc Steadman of Steadman Design Studio, I designed this hypothetical theme park land as an imagined 1920’s Boardwalk built by the crabs, birds, and other small animals that reside by the seaside.
Belen Aerospace
In 2021, Belen Aerospace was founded with the hopes of making new discoveries in the realm of space travel. Specifically, the organization seeks to find, cultivate, and promote breakthroughs in Internal Atmospheric Propulsion, a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical propulsion systems. To do this, Belen also hopes to inspire in the next generation a passionate interest in space exploration and its possibilities, driven not by fear but by hope. This inspirational and educational component is at the core of the Belen Aerospace brand.
Cave of Camazotz: The Search for Dr Deathingstone
I conceived this hypothetical haunt attraction in part as a way to challenge myself to render concept art in different historical art styles; in this case, 1800s-inspired pen and ink. I’ve always appreciated haunted attractions that 1) imply a larger world/lore and 2) actually give the guest an active role instead of reducing them to victims or onlookers.
Tiki-Natti
Tiki-Natti was an art installation I designed for Fishbowl at the Banks, a tiki-themed bar and nightclub in Cincinnati's popular Banks area. The bar was expanding - an incredible achievement when so many bars were going out of business during the Spring of 2021 - and I wanted to design something cool for them to celebrate and set them apart.
Shackleton Exhibit
End of the World: An Antarctic Museum Adventure is a hypothetical immersive museum experience meant to educate and inspire families with the incredible story of Ernest Shackleton’s daring explorations of Antarctica. What could be depicted as a frigid story of survival is instead depicted as a colorful adventure, meant to inspire scientific curiosity in children even as it avoids the colonialism which tragically so often casts a shadow over the kinds of adventure stories traditionally aimed at children (Antarctica has never had a native people).
'Fight for Family Movie Night'
I've designed several covers for Angelus Magazine over the years, but my favorite to date is actually this one, which accompanied a cover story entitled, "The Fight for Family Movie Night". The topic of the piece appealed to my psych background, as it argued that family movie night can not only be a fun source of entertainment, but a valuable and equalizing bonding activity.
Known by Name Counseling
One of my favorite logos I've ever designed was for Known by Name Counseling, a private counseling practice based in Wheeling, West Virginia. I was inspired by founder (and my good friend) Tyler Kilbane’s mission to honor the addicts he serves as a name rather than a number, and also his personal old-world-aesthetic.
BanaSun Character Design
To increase their business and refine their brand, the owners of BanaSun Smoothie Bar tasked me with proposing a series of mascot characters. Designed both to appeal to children and to represent different components of what they hoped would someday constitute a lifestyle brand.
Logo: All Eyes on Isaac
My sister Rachael asked me to design a branding package for her nuptials as well. A sports psychologist and an app designer, she and her now-husband wanted a dynamic and edgy look that would match their personas.
Bircus Concept Art
Bircus Brewing Company is the brainchild of former Ringling Bros. clown Paul Miller and Flemish youth circus Circusplaneet’s Coördinator, Matthias Vermael. A circus/beer hall hybrid, it provides work and entertainment to the underserved area of Ludlow Kentucky, even while serving as a home to performers from 28 countries –Antigua to Australia, Ghana to Germany, Indonesia to Israel, and Suriname to Sudan.