In 1992 I got a job working as a custom picture framer (which
I continued to do for more than 7 years). This was the best
step I could have taken toward my eventual career.
Learning to frame art is not only important for the artist
(the framing really makes a huge difference), working with
mats and frames gives you a better feel for color and texture.
Now, back to the story - after 4 months at the gallery, my
boss (now my good friend, Shawn) handed me an empty frame that
had been laying around the shop and said "Here, paint
something to go inside this frame - maybe a little fairy or
something."
I had always had an interest in faeries (ever since I was
a small child and my aunt bought me FAERIES by Brian Froud
and Allan Lee) but hadn't ever really tried to draw one. So,
I went home and did just that.
We put the finished painting out in the shop and a few days
later it sold - that was how it all started.
