THE STUDIO

Where do you work?
Anywhere the work takes me. Home studio? Sure. But the real magic happens in the field, on the fly, in the middle of the mess. Inspiration doesn’t wait, so neither do I.

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What’s a typical day like at the studio?

A typical day is all over the place — and I honestly love it. It keeps me fresh, and I’m better with chaos. More gets done, and that constant pressure keeps me moving forward. I usually catch up on messages from the night before, sketch a few new ideas, refine any feedback work, and spend some time just ideating without a specific project. You can find me in the garage working on something hands-on, downstairs in the studio plugging away, or sneaking out back to sling a few arrows.

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What inspires you?
The hunt, the chase, long drives with the right tunes, and all kinds of creative sh*t—street art, old-school tattoos, 80’s logos, magazine layouts… if it’s got guts and story, I’m in.

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How do you keep ideas fresh?

This one can be tough—but getting out and actually doing helps more than you’d think. I’m inspired by the field and never want to lose that. It’s where the authenticity of the work comes from and where I learn the most. Traveling, seeing new things, and just plain moving keeps the creativity alive.

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Favorite place to travel?
The American West. Mountains, open skies, endless adventure. Always feels like home away from home. Montana / Idaho. They can fight it out for top pick but I think I lean toward the one that's closer to me, today.

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Other hobbies of the studio?
Archery, bowhunting, fishing, UTV trails, camping, square bodies, family time… and yes, I said it—food. 

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Is your background in Graphic Design?
Not straight-up. I grew up chasing my dad’s footsteps—oil paints, sketches, murals, the works. I ran through every art class in high school and went on to study Landscape Architecture at Iowa State. The last decade I’ve been all over the country working in conservation and parks, but the itch to create never left. Graphics, design, storytelling—they became the way to merge the wild with visual voice. Now my days are a mix: making, designing, exploring, and doing it all to Stoke Creative Pursuits.​​

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What’s your favorite part of the creative process?
All of it. Thanks, come again! Seriously though — I love collaborating, throwing ideas around, and seeing them come to life start to finish. Even the moments when it’s not hitting yet… still the best.

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How do you handle creative ruts or burnout?
If you’re in a slump, either create your way out of it or completely reset and do something for your soul. Don’t overthink yourself into a deeper hole. Get your ass outside, move, lift, run, and make something new. Turn off the noise, turn up the work. 

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Any dream collaborations or projects you’d love to take on?
I love full-service brand work — the kind where you listen, guide, and help teams hit their goals. There’s so much range in branding, and seeing it come to life over time is inspiring. The best part? Stepping back and watching people succeed after the process. Hopefully it’s a never-ending collaboration.

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What’s one piece of advice for someone starting their own creative pursuit?
Don’t wait for perfect — just start. Momentum is everything. Clarity shows up once you’re already moving. Everything will always be in-progress and that is ok. We are as people and our projects should be the same. ​

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Where do you go when you need to clear your head?
Gym time. I’ve always been a gym rat — grew up playing ball and still spend a lot of time lifting and running. Movement clears the noise.

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What’s your go-to music when you’re on the road or in the shop?
Anything dirt-road country — gritty and raw. I’m a sucker for live recordings too, where you can hear the hum of the audience or a little background noise. Some realness goes a long way.

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