Artist To Author |
Even when I was a child, I knew I had a natural artistic talent and was always looking for ways to express my creativity. Over the years I spent a lot of time developing and nurturing my skills. I did my research, went to art schools, listened to professional artists, and after years of working in advertising agencies and corporate companies I have become recognized as a leading artist and designer in the industry.
I am best known for creating the detailed educational illustrations for U-Haul International, one of the most iconic and recognized brands in North America. I began rebranding the company in 1997 by producing the "Venture Across America/Canada" (modern series). For over 15 years from 1997 to 2013, I took the graphic program to heights never before reached with over the top vector illustrations and highly detailed scientific facts. The series became a highly recognized educational program by teachers, universities, scientists, historians and major art institutes. I no longer work or represent the company and moved on to bigger and better ventures. http://www.kingillustration.com/u-haul-graphics.html Among my many recognitions as the creator of the U-Haul "Supergraphics", I have been highlighted in the Adobe Illustrator WOW Book which showcases the world’s best artists and designers working in Adobe Illustrator, a guest on the morning talk show: "Seeing The Need" with–Phil McILveen, featured in The Charlotte Observer: how drive-by trivia come to pass, highlighted in many science and nature magazines, and acclaimed in the local papers representing each state & province. http://www.kingillustration.com/recognitions.html |
While working directly with leading scientist on these educational illustrations, I was inspired to write my own picture books to make learning fun while helping children understand science.
The inspirational concept "follow your dreams" encourages us not to stay content in our safe box, but to make a leap, to follow the passion that would drive us. This is a lot harder said than done, and requires a lot of failing and rising. It was this inspirational mainstay that made me understand that I was waisting my time working for a corporation that did not appreciate me. I have no time for a insecure micromanager that feels threatened by my success, and the success of a campaign I was hired to create and rise to popularity. The week I had been highlighted in the Adobe Illustrator WOW Book in 2013, I was laid off. I was told the program was "retired". They still print my graphics today. I began working on my book immediately while hopping around job-to-job. I spent a couple of years working as the lead graphic designer and illustrator for the best selling author, Robert Kiyosaki. Among my many works for him, I designed the new game board Cashflow, the board game USA Today calls "Monopoly on Steroids" and New York Times says "Move over Monopoly". https://www.richdad.com/apps-games/cashflow-boardgame. Other experiences include working for Everi Games creating tournament games for international slots. I am currently managing a team of artist for a Toy Manufacturing company. I finally completed my book, I spent a couple of years sending out a lot of query letters but I found that trying to get a publisher was a little taxing. From there I decided to self publish... |
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