Interview by Charlie Festa

Hello there, and how are you doing today?

I'm doing great, thanks.

How did you get your start in design?

I studied at The Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, film studies and illustration. I guess my actual start was when my mom first gave me a pack of crayons and a piece of paper. I've been drawing ever since.

What inspires your work?

I guess I draw inspiration from a variety of sources. The world at large of course... endless inspiration and surprise there. I also am inspired by the work of other artists I admire, and by my friends and family. Mostly it's a mystery though. Many of my ideas seem to come as I'm drifting off to sleep so a better part of inspiration (for many artists I imagine) stems from somewhere in the subconscious where the rational and irrational are synthesized. I like surprise and paradox, which is one of the things that first drew me to Threadless. Threadless has been a definite recent inspiration as it has encouraged me to push my ideas and my art. Given the daily exposure to such brilliant designers and submissions, how could you not feel inspired?

How does it feel to have a design selected by Threadless?

Wow... that's the only word that comes to mind. It feels fantastic. I just broke my hand badly two weeks ago so I was feeling pretty bummed out that I wouldn't be able to draw anything for a long time, so having my design selected has gone a long way towards buoying up my spirits. I swear, if it wasn't so hard to come by, doctors could prescribe a Threadless win as an all natural pain killer.

What do you plan to spend your hard-earned cash on?

I've always wanted a Wacom tablet, so probably one of those. I also have a few bills to pay, like everyone I suppose. I'll probably save a little as an emergency fund as well.

Interview by Charlie Festa

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