If you can’t tell, I’m a huge Simpsons fan — well, seasons 1–12 mostly. This painting is one of my favorite creations. At first, I thought about putting ads for his restaurant on the sails, but I decided to leave them off. I think him fighting the giant squid really captures him at the peak of his Sea Captain career, and what was first going to be a mocking piece actually turned into a homage.

While painting Jurassic Park, I ran into an issue getting the purple/skin tones to look right. There comes a point where you’re so frustrated that you don’t call it quits—you call a break. I’ve never taken formal art classes before, but I knew I needed help. So I jumped online and signed up for a color-mixing class at Ghost House Studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It saved me. It was like having a PlayStation this whole time but no controller. I’m using a pallet knife you guys! lol This is a big change for me and my brushes are thankful. After that one weekend of classes, I’m more confident in my art than ever!

Hey hey! I did a show at the Amway Grand Plaza for ArtPrize last weekend, and honestly my favorite part was seeing people’s reactions to my magnets. They’re something different—love them or not, they’re always fun to feast your eyes on!

I love making them, but they’re a lot of work, so until the next wave of enthusiasm hits, I’m taking a break from magnets. What I am super excited about, though, is diving back into painting! I just started a Little Shop of Horrors / Audrey II piece, and it’s going to be sweet. Last year in an oil painting class I learned about underpainting, so I’m hoping that technique will really amp this one up.