Our Approach
I've always been curious.
Perhaps it pairs naturally with my first name. As a result, I’ve explored many subjects and indulged in a lot of making. From the design and building of furniture, to the sewing of a princess dress for my daughter, to designing a bottle for a new line of Sally Hansen Nail Polish... I see my varied experience and curiosity as true assets to my teaching. Having already worked as a graphic artist for 15 years, I began my career as an educator at Nassau Community College in 2008 and quickly became as invested in my student's work as in my own. Since then I've worked in a number of schools and now spend the majority of my time teaching. I have a wife and daughter, and way too many pets. I earned my undergraduate degree in education at Hofstra University, and I've just recently attained my Master's in Art Education from Eastern Illinois University.
Some career highlights include designing packaging for a number of Grammy-nominated recordings, working (indirectly) for two of the four Beatles, designing interiors for the Women of the World Conference 2011, seeing my work appear on television, and sending a slew of designers and artists into the world showing a little more professionalism, and maturity than when I met them.
Welcome!
Our Story
Resume
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
B.A. Education, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
M.A. Art Education, Eastern Illinois University
Initial Certification Visual Arts K-12 New York State, July 2014
Initial Certification CTE Commercial Art 7-12 New York State, March 2019
M.A. Education Technology, in-process Adelphi University, Garden City NY
SKILLS
Clay sculpture, wood carving, mold making, finish carpentry, cold and hot metal fabrication, ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, typesetting, photography, photo manipulation and retouching, 3D rendering, 3D printing, electronics and wiring, origami, website design, classical guitar
Adobe Creative Suite [Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign], HTML, CSS, Python, Google Classroom, Blackboard, 3DS Max 9, Adobe Acrobat, Google Sketchup, Microsoft Office, Adobe Flash, Adobe Dreamweaver, Macintosh & PC Platforms
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE Garden City, New York
Adjunct Professor 2006 - Present
Developing curricula, creating lesson plans, and designing classroom materials for courses in graphic design, advertising art, computer illustration, and print production. Class sizes ranging from 10-19 students taught in both in-person and synchronous online modalities.
- Utilizing decades of industry experience, students are led through project-based
instruction focusing on the artistic skills and theory necessary to the success of a graphic
designer/illustrator, as well as the application of software and standard industry practices. - Classes are modeled loosely on an agency structure. Through brainstorming sessions, class critiques
and revisions, students learn how to see and communicate as designers. - Instruction is often differentiated for a very diverse group of learners of varying ages
and backgrounds.
Driftwood Day Camp Huntington, New York
Ceramics Specialist summers 2020 - 2021
Provided instruction in achieving various ceramics techniques to over 80 campers ranging in age from 4 to 16 over an 8 week period.
- Managed bisque and glaze firing of low fire clay projects. Ordered supplies, managed a student
assistant and performed basic kiln maintenance. - Created an environment that encouraged risk-taking and creativity in student projects.
- Maintained safe practices and a clean environment for two years with no incidents of injury or
infection while also enforcing mask mandates through the Covid pandemic.
Freelance Graphic Artist Bellmore, New York
Graphic Designer / Illustrator 2012 - Present
Expert design and illustration of books, commercial packaging, displays, and various promotional items for a number of clients including
- Tonar Music, Koch Records, 1-800-Flowers, Women’s Sports Foundation, Long Island Philharmonic, Suffolk County, Putumayo, Generation Media, James Arts Talent Management, Vakhtang Jordania International Conducting Competition
Creative Display Solutions, Garden City, New York
Graphic Artist/Display Designer 2010 - 2012
Art direction, design, and fabrication of large-scale custom tradeshow exhibits for corporations such as Citibank and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Created assembly instructions and safety pamphlets for end-users and provided electrical and other technical requirements to venues.
- Work awarded “Best in Show” March 2012, Cruise Ship Conference, Orlando, Florida
- Provided interior design for the prestigious “Women of the World Conference,” 2011, honoring special guests Maya Angelou and Condoleezza Rice
COTY INC. (Formerly Del Labs) New York, New York
Graphic Artist/Display Designer 2002 - 2009
Head display designer for Sally Hansen, the largest selling nail polish brand in the country.
- Designed, created mechanicals, and comped in-store vac-form, corrugated, and pressboard,
permanent and temporary displays. Communicated with vendors regarding specs for final
production of displays as needed. - Member of the design team responsible for of 4 of the 5 best selling products in Del Labs history
- Researched and selected new software for the 3D rendering of displays. Trained design staff in the
use of the new software resulting in a $125,000 dollar decrease in comping expenses.
Additional TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Westbury High School Ninth grade academy Westbury, New York
Leave Replacement Studio Art Teacher August 2017 - April 2018
Instruction in techniques for using various media including colored pencil, acrylics, and watercolor paints. Designed and presented engaging lessons in history, art theory, and aesthetics that actively involved the students and reinforced their creative work.
- Assisted in the organization and opening of Westbury’s new 9th Grade Academy in an annex
of Nassau Community College. - Converted a room designed for lectures into a functioning art space; planned for and ordered
supplies. - Led students in designing and painting a large-scale mural celebrating Black History Month.
Westbury Senior High School Westbury, New York
Long Term Substitute, Ceramics and Sculpture December 2015 - May 2016
Instruction in sculpture using non-traditional materials, clay hand-building techniques, glazing, and throwing pottery on the wheel. Created engaging lessons in 3D design, art history, theory, aesthetics, and the work of practicing artists.
- Challenged the students to explore questions related to form and function in the crafting of
practical works, such as a functioning bird house and vessels for drinking and eating. - Instructed advanced students in the making of an Udu (Nigerian pot drum). Students designed
and made their own instruments, with the unit culminating in instruction on how to play, and
informal sessions improvising as an ensemble.
Professional Associations & ACTIVITIES
Member National Art Education Association, Makerbot Certified Educator, Grade 8 USSF soccer
referee, Bellmore PAL soccer coach, Girl Scouts of America guest teacher, Special Olympics
volunteer, Westbury Community Center summer program art teacher, Hofstra Continuing
Education guitar instructor
Check out the portfolio...
PortfolioTake a look at some of my work both commercial and personal.