I have been drawing and whatnot since as long as I can remember. Any spot in my school notebooks that didn't have notes were filled with sketches. I drew everything imaginable from the D&D adventures that my brother ran, to fantasy books I read, to every character on Animaniacs. Unfortunately when I was in high school I focused on my grades (ie. being a nerd), so I didn't have much time for art. However the summer after graduating, I did two pieces of art based on Terry Brooks' The Sword of Shannara and spent about 30 hours on each. That was the first time I had ever dedicated so much time to individual pieces of art, and the end result excited me.
When I got to college I dual majored in Computer Science and Art History, only because my school didn't offer a major in Studio Art. I took as many art classes as my schedule allowed though. I seemed to be pursuing a career in art or art education, but decided to try graduate school in Computer Science instead. I graduated in 2004 with a Master's in CS, but again switched paths and returned to my art interests. Mike, my brother, wanted to start up a company selling our artwork. And so in 2002 we founded Aradani Studios, a costuming and art company that started off small, but soon grew. We travel mostly in the Southeast United States, to various conventions and Renaissance Festivals, selling our art, and our elf ears.
I currently call Nashville my home, and don't see that changing for quite some time. This is where my friends, my family, and my career is. When I first posted this bio, I said that, "I still have no idea what I want to do with my life." Well, since writing that, I think I have found my calling. At the age of 26, I won the most prestigious fantasy art award there is, the Chesley Award. Mike and I have slowly but steadily grown this business into something that now employees other people! And most importantly, I love what I do, and I truly enjoy being able to talk about my art with people and have a dialogue with them.
And I owe all of this to my brother. Without him, I don't know where I would be today, but it wouldn't be here. And I hope he always remembers that I am grateful to him.