Feral Giant

08/19/2026

Popped over to see my friend, the immensely talented Bapo Design, at his studio in an undisclosed location in downtown / NoKno. The things he is working on… it feels weird to say proud, but it feels my heart that he’s getting to do work that brings him joy.

08/12/2026

This past Sunday was a big day. Ten years ago I turned in my badge at the paper, had a lunch meeting with a client, thus officially starting Feral Giant.

This past year has been more about figuring out my path for the future. At this moment I’m still trying to figure out how to navigate that path, what I want that path to be. It feels like I’ve been lining up a lotta irons for whenever that creative fire gets stoked. That will mean a lot more self work, which is what I’ve been trying to get motivated about for a couple years.

A goal is to bring back later this year. Making it all one look, one style. Won’t spoil that one, but it's already on my calendar. I also have a long-gestating art exhibit. That idea is close to ten years old, and I’ve been talking about it for at least three years. Third is a merch drop I will be taking preorders for sooner rather than later. The post-it with the idea sketch has been sitting on my coffee table staring at me for around nine to ten months.

As far as client work, I’ve continued to be a lot more choosy. Right now I have a ground-up brand project, and an event artwork project in the hopper. I have two websites that I’d like to get done before year 11 gets here. One I’m waiting on the client, the other is more making the time.

Everything this past year has been about getting work stuff done as it comes up. Everything that has no hard due date… it’s been a struggle to get the creative mojo going. That’s something that is vexing, which doesn’t make it any easier.

Here’s to getting that mojo back, getting up off my shoulders, getting s**t done.

04/02/2026

This is a cool thing to be a part of and shepard along. If you don’t know, I run a group that holds free, monthly meet ups for illustrators called The Knoxville Society Of Illustrators. Been running this group since before the pandemic.

Amanda Mahoney had the idea for us to publish a ‘zine as a calling piece for our group. Both in creativity, and something tangible to get the word out. Seven of the tremendously talented artists that show up to our meetings crafted unique artwork for this ‘zine, with the theme of Inside/Outside being the only direction. We got the good folks at Graphic Creations, Inc. (shout out to Tanner and Andy) to print the thing. Now, we have a box of them to hand out.

If you’re a creative in the Knoxville area, give the IG or FB page a follow, come to one of our free, monthly meetups. Who knows, you could be in next year’s edition!

01/15/2026

Here’s a piece I created last year, but is now timely. The great and hilarious Billy Wayne Davis reached out, asking me to create a poster for his upcoming run of shows in Alaska. The one bit of guidance was “cold.” In thinking of this run of shows, looking at what’s that looks like, I came up with the idea of an old school travel poster. Made it simple, direct. Appreciate him asking! If you’re anywhere near Alaska, the tour starts next week. If not near Alaska, why not head on up there for these shows.

10/23/2025

Every October I celebrate a big anniversary. 2025 marks 33 years from when I walked into Mr. Miracle’s Graphic Arts class, at Fulton High School, thus choosing graphic design as a career.

For a lil back story, because it’s funny to think about this nowadays, I chose the print shop because it was only one of two classes in the entire school that had a computer. Up to that point, I thought I’d be an elementary school teacher. But wanted to work with computers more, which was kinda an anomaly in 1992. In those four years at Fulton, I learned and worked in every aspect of printing. For that, I am incredibly fortunate. It set a base level of knowledge that 99% of designers do not have.

I am very grateful and indebted to Mr. Miracle for being a patient North Star into this world.

10/03/2025

A helluva lot of talent up on that wall. Love seeing The Knoxville Society Of Illustrators crew represented. Congrats to Rala: Regional and Local Artisans for another great The Haunted Art Show, and to Esther Sketch for curating and being a great ambassador.

08/29/2025

Wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who came out to see me speak at PechaKucha Night Knoxville last night at The Mill & Mine, all the kind words after. As mentioned, I abhor the sound of my own voice, and am not a fan of public speaking. But life is about facing those fears, otherwise what’s the point. Don’t forget to drop them ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

For anyone who couldn’t make it, I’ll make sure to post when they’ve uploaded the presentation to the site.

📷: my long time personal photographer Brent Waugh

08/21/2025

Next week!

Excited to share that I’ll be presenting at next week’s PechaKucha Night Knoxville! It’ll be about the journey with Ramblin’ Man. Where it started, what it’s become, and why storytelling on the record matters.

PechaKucha is all about quick, creative talks with a 20x20 format—20 slides, 20 seconds each—so it’s going to be fast-paced and, hopefully, fun. If you’re in Knoxville, come hang out for an evening of inspiring talks and community energy. Can’t wait to see y’all there!

The Mill & Mine

05/06/2025

Last Thursday I headed to the hallowed halls of my alma mater, Pellissippi State Community College, for the 2025 Design Showcase. I was happy to see so many young folks in the show, who are about to enter into the world of professional graphic design. I’m glad interest in my field isn’t waning. There was some true talent in the showcase, which also makes me incredibly proud. That those in charge are pushing the kids to be better. Here’s to those graduating, may the odds ever be in your favor.

03/27/2025

This week’s meeting of the Knox County Schools Arts Education Leadership Council was getting to see a tech rehearsal of Karns High School’s upcoming production of Guys & Dolls, and have a Q&A with the director and cast. The kids were great. I was amazed to see just how many students were involved, and how many have full rides to college awaiting them.

Having the Arts in public schools is vital, and it’s troubling that they keep getting pulled away. It shouldn’t even be a debate that the arts are as important, if not more, as math and science. Teaching kids to push the boundaries of their creativity, the socializing, I could go on for days. I’m happy that KCS has this council to show the good things they are doing, despite the fact that the leadership (all the way up to the Governor) are trying to take away budgets. How many of us wouldn’t be where we are today without some special arts teacher that guided us? That gave us hope?