If
ther’s any truth to the idea that an artist has to suffer to be successful,
then I’m in trouble. I’ve been very fortunate to have wonderful people
in my life who have encouraged my creativity.
Born
just south of Pittsburgh, I was the youngest of five. While my father
loved to preach the virtues of common sense, both he and my mother
encouraged me to dream. My imagination was nurtured every day but
was especially fueled by family get-togethers at the holidays. Gathered
around the patio table, my family could spin yarns about everyday
life that would leave you breathless from laughter.
My imagination
was not always well received in my conservative grade school. It was
there that I discovered cartooning. As my mind would wander during
class, my pen would wander to the margin of my notebook to create
monsters, aliens, sharks, and castles.
Over
the next several years, I fell into a sense of complacency with my
career. Although I liked my job, I knew that selling insurance would
never satisfy my creative longings. I credit my wonderful wife, Kristen,
for giving me the jolt I needed. She encouraged me to take evening
classes at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh where I studied graphic
design. I was inspired by the drive, dedication, and creativity of
the other students. I renewed my commitment to cartooning and began
developing several ideas for comic strips.
The idea
for Home Fries came to me from the conversations I enjoyed with my
older customers. Many of them would make a special trip to just sit
and chew the fat for a while. While several tried to appear gruff
on the outside, I could tell by the twinkle in their eyes that inside
each beat the heart of a mischievous child. So while many great comic
strips focus on the lives of children, I thought I’d center mine around
an old man who stayed a child at heart.
I’d like
to thank you for taking the time to read, and hopefully enjoy, Home
Fries. While it is certainly my dream to one day be syndicated, I
believe that success is a journey, not a destination. I already feel
successful just being able to pursue what I enjoy. This may be just
a small step in my journey, but I’m having a wonderful time so far.
