AboveAverageJoe

First off, I AM 27 years old. I don't look it, I know. So I figured I’d get that out there right away. My running joke, considering that I hear short jokes all the time, is that I figure I'll have the last laugh. When everyone else shrinks as they get older, I'll get taller by default.
I’m a web designer, freelance graphic designer, and aspiring artist. Those things are a huge part of my life, though I don’t necessarily differentiate between them. Graphic design and art are one in the same, to me. When it comes to “graphic design,” I've tried to become as well rounded as possible, working in web design, print, video, and a little bit of animation. I also enjoy drawing, print-making, screen-printing, photography, painting, and especially enjoy working in installation art. I’m a pop-culture junkie, a “junk” junkie (I love working with found materials and repurposing what’s often considered “junk”), and I thrive on working a certain level of humor/irony, grit/grime, and a bit of gut-wrenching reality into what I do. My artist statement puts my philosophy best, I think:
“I’ve come to understand why I’m so strongly drawn to the periods of Baroque and Modern art: It’s the intent and desire of the artists to elicit such strong, motivational reactions from their audience. The art was meant to grab hold of the viewer and deliver a message with all the subtlety of a punch to the face.”
“Why do I want that reaction? As an artist, I believe my job is to throw a wrench in the machine of people’s perceptions. I hope to spark a reaction that motivates them, to have an effect upon their lives; to change them, to influence them, to bring a slight wry smile to their faces, to piss them off, or to make them cry. If I can achieve this or any other reaction, be it physical or emotional, then my desires as an artist will have been accomplished – as long as they react.”
Besides art, I’m also addicted to music. I’ll give just about anything a listen, and have a music collection that I am very proud of. I’ll also absorb music knowledge and history like a sponge. I’m known to geek-out when the subject is brought up. I pretty sure my buddy Ben, his dad, my dad, and I could go forever and a day on any number of music topics.
I’m fortunate to have one of the greatest groups of friends you could ask for, and consider myself even more blessed to have had most of them in my life for over 10 years now. I always strive to be a positive, funny, and outgoing person, even when I don’t necessarily feel that way, myself. I like to make people laugh, and I really like to be that person that someone knows they can go to if they need to get something off their minds.
I’m really good with kids, which I think stems from really being just a big kid, myself. I really look forward to being a dad one day. I think that when that day comes, there will have never been a prouder or happier guy to exist on this earth. It’s going to be awesome!
Beyond that, I say the words “rad,” “word,” “dude,” “bro,” “killer,” and “metal” a lot. When excited, I also throw up the horns with an immense frequency. I also refer to some people as “cats,” which seems to bewilder some of my friends.
Anyways, there’s a lot more, but I’ll simply say if you like people into the stuff on the left, drop me a message sometime. I won't spurn you or throw hate at you, I promise.