The reaction I get on many occasions when I mention where my business is located is, “You Work Where?”. Although once in a while I get a half-hearted “That sounds nice.”  Or even a “Geez, there's people up there?

After about 5 years working in Los Angeles, my wife and I decided to move back to my home state of North Dakota. It's been a long time since I've been back here and I have to say, it really helped my work. I guess what I'm getting at really is finding inspiration wherever you work. Sure I liked LA. And I might even move back there. But here in North Dakota, I've got one hell of a view and no end to inspiration each and every day. I think that was what I was lacking in our little box of an apartment back on the west coast. I would get up and sit at my drafting table or computer and have a nice view of... the next apartment building. As an artist, I'm a visual guy. Without it, I got a bit burnt out. Don't get me wrong, we would go out and go to the beach, go to galleries and events and so on. But when I was working for hours on end, the ambiance was lacking.

When I was back in college (so many years ago), I would plaster my walls with artwork from the floor to the ceiling. I would look up and get inspired. I would also gauge my work by the masters that surrounded me. I don't know if anyone out there did that as well, but that really drove me.

Now, in North Dakota, I can look out my window and get inspired by one hell of a view. Inspiration gives you the drive to work to your fullest potential. Here in my new studio I have that inspiration and drive and I believe I am creating some of my best work for my clients.