Biography
Journey Man
Being of both Spanish and Scottish heritage, I grew up immersed in a wide range of communities, people, and environments across the southern United States. My birth mother, of Spanish descent, hailed from South Texas going by Villarreal. Conversely, my father came from the Appalachian highlands of North Carolina. Much of my early life was marked by frequent moves throughout the South before my family eventually settled in South Carolina. Life was simple, hard and often markedly abusive. Often shaped by a lack of consistent guidance mentorship and the need to escape. Despite these obstacles, I’ve worked persistently to carve out a meaningful place for myself in the world.
Difficult Road
As I started out my emerging adult life, even though the ups and downs, inside, I knew enough to understand I had to make a different life. It was the only path forward. All the usual fears were there, money, where to go, and how to make it happen. However, I knew I needed to make it happen even though I as on my own. Sometimes harsh reality can be the best education of all. However, through it, one can create a mentality powerful enough to defy awful circumstances
Mentors
Lots of steps were inconclusive and produced only a mixed bag consisting of two education degrees and varied experiences from non professional and professional worK. Through mottling many difficult work place scenarios, I gained more personal insight than anything else. That insight from experiences has become the most valuable thing you can achieve.
Onward
It is a time of life for me to explore even more. Through it all I’ve managed to get married (most awesome person in the world) and I have built a better life for myself incorporating those many lessons of work and society. I have been so fortunate to have years with a lot of great people from along the way!
From here, “I’m striving to take the escapism of alternate realities and heroic characters—once confined to my mind—and bring them to life through words and illustrations. If for no other reason, it is to show that even in the darkest of worlds, there are still places one can go. Realms of hope, courage, and imagination where light can still be found.”