I am from Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario. In 2013, I relocated to British Columbia, and now reside in Victoria. When I was really young, I always said I was going to be an artist like my Uncle Tim. Grown ups would ask, and I would always confidently reply. I loved to draw and paint. When my teenage years hit, I discovered a deep love of music, and the electric guitar became my obsession. At thirteen, I got my first electric (a cherry red Hamer Explorer!), and the next five years were consumed by my desire to learn and improve as a player.

By the time I reached my final year of high school, I was performing locally, peer teaching the guitar course at my school, and teaching a bit privately.

Choosing to take the academic route, I auditioned for Humber College in Toronto, Ontario. When I got my acceptance letter, it was time to pack up and head to the big city to study contemporary jazz. But as a rock player… I began to question my decision. I could feel my passion for the instrument fizzling, so I chose to leave music school.

I stopped playing for a couple of years and began training powerlifting. I lifted for three and a half years, competing once in 2011. I learned a lot, gaining both physical and mental strength. I still love the weights!

During my lifting years, the creative urge continued to pull on my heart strings and I returned to my guitar. Then upon discovering the work of visionary artist Alex Grey, I was immediately captivated. His use of colour.. his ability to convey the human spirit.. the way he can communicate his ideas via paint and brush. I was inspired and remembered my childhood dream of becoming an artist. I wondered, “Can I do that?”. Enter art college.

I studied art and design at Cambrian College in Sudbury, where I explored all mediums. Drawing, painting, photography, carving, digital multimedia, graphic design, and more. My favourite classes were analytical drawing, drawing from the imagination, and colour theory. Graduating with a 4.0, I left knowing my medium of choice is painting.

In 2015 I got the idea to paint a guitar. Why not combine my two favourite things? After much research and careful planning, it was time to get to work. I dropped the acrylics, started working with lacquer, and I haven't looked back since. The result, a one of a kind guitar to voice creative expression. Fine art that’s playable.