Tom's of Maine: Print

This was my ad school work that won the "Best Art Direction" and "Best in Show" in the infamous quarterly Creative Circus Student Show. I won some cash and spent it all on interview clothes and new sneakers.

GAP International: Print

Gap International is a global management consulting company that partners with executives to produce growth in organizations through performance. Problem: they needed a print campaign to break through the usual humdrum of industry publications. Solution: A humorous and truthful message that introduced this gateway product to key readers.

Bumblebee Tuna: Print

Vivitar: Video

Vivitar launched their first underwater digital camera, the ViviCam 8400 at London's newest entertainment district, The O2 in 2007. Vivitar suggested Londoners "Go Below H2O" through three :10 videos I produced, which aired on site during the grand opening of the venue.

PONY: Print

Sally's Seafood on the Water: Print

Free parking, drink specials, fresh sushi and chic waterfront dining on San Diego harbor. What else do you need to make a restaurant? ...Oh, that's right, patrons. Sally's requested ideas that would get their dormant reservations line ringing. After recommending minor interior tweaks, a menu reinvention and events promotion, we devised these print ads to kickstart the makeover.

Books for Dummies: Print

OLEVIA HD TV: Print

Gigi Paris: A Little Poodle with a Lot of Charm

Gigi Paris ("jee-jee pah-ree") wasn’t just a mascot—she was the heart of Paris Las Vegas. When the resort needed something to add a playful spark to its romantic, Parisian vibe, I dreamed up Gigi: a sweet, flirty little French poodle with a pink bow and a whole lot of personality. Her face appeared on various keepsakes—shirts, mugs, and most famously, a 7-inch gray beanbag plush toy that guests couldn’t get enough of. That little poodle? She became a collectible.

Even though she’s no longer front and center, Gigi’s charm still lingers—fun, stylish, and full of heart. Just like Paris… with a wink of Vegas.

Gigi Plush Purse – A Chic Throwback with Vegas Sparkle: Gigi Paris wasn’t just a plush toy—she was the ultimate accessory. With flirty lashes, soft gray curls, and her signature pink bow, this poodle purse brought a playful touch of Paris to Las Vegas style. A hidden zipper along her back turned her into the cutest little carry-all. For a moment in fashion history, Gigi even made it to Beverly Hills—featured in the iconic Trashy Lingerie window display, where a dozen of these darling purses accessorized mannequins in fabulous, flirty style. Though she was only on the market for a short time, the Gigi Plush Purse remains a beloved collector’s gem—and a glam reminder of when Vegas met couture with a wink. You might get lucky and find her on eBay these days.

Gigi Paris Porcelain Trinket Box – Tiny, Fancy, and Full of Charm: This sweet little trinket box once sat in gift shops at Paris Las Vegas, topped with none other than Gigi herself—bow, curls, and all. Open it up, and there was just enough room for a ring or a secret note. With her tilted head and painted lashes, Gigi brought a bit of Parisian sass to any dresser or shelf. She wasn’t around long, but for those who found her, she was a perfect little memory in porcelain.

Poodles, Playtime, and Parisian Charm: Alongside her loyal (and slightly goofy) bulldog boyfriend, Jacques, Gigi became the star of a children’s book and a symbol of the fun, family-friendly side of the resort. Their story brought the magic of Paris to life in a way both kids and adults could fall in love with.

Gigi Paris Forever – The Last Little Icons of Paris Las Vegas: They’re easy to miss if you’re rushing by, but there she is—twice, in fact—framing the entrance to Les Éléments like she never left. These white poodle statues are some of the last remaining traces of Gigi Paris, the once-beloved mascot who brought sweetness and sparkle to the resort. Long after the plush toys and merch disappeared, Gigi stayed put—poised, proud, and still quietly charming guests who happen to look up and remember.

Star Galaxy Adventure Themed Sci-Fi Experience

Moscow, Russia—As the lead creative on this 40,000 sq. ft. sci-fi attraction, my team and I developed the name, storyline, characters, and visual identity for an immersive space adventure where guests became part of a galaxy-spanning battle between good and evil. The experience featured a narrative-driven transporter ride, walkaround heroes and villains, interactive laser battles, cinematic set pieces, and an intergalactic retail bazaar. I also designed the complete merchandising plan, including product development and theming integration, to extend the story beyond the attraction floor.

Bringing the characters of Star Galaxy Adventure to life was one of the most rewarding parts of the project. The goal was to create an original cast of heroes, villains, and alien lifeforms that felt believable within the world we’d built—and memorable enough to stay with guests long after they left.

I started with rough concept sketches, exploring silhouettes, species, and cultural cues for each character. Each design choice—whether armor plating, fabric texture, or insignia—was tied to the storyline and faction they represented. From there, I refined the illustrations, collaborating with illustrators and costume fabricators to translate these ideas into something physically wearable, practical, and cinematic.

We worked through rounds of prototypes and fittings to ensure each costume functioned well for performance, from action-heavy scenes to guest interactions. Every detail mattered—from glowing visors to tactile, distressed fabrics that made the characters feel lived-in and layered with history. Even the color palettes and materials were chosen to help instantly communicate allegiance: rebel, rogue, or elite.

The final cast costumes brought a level of authenticity that elevated the entire experience. Guests weren’t just watching a sci-fi story—they were stepping right into it, shoulder to shoulder with characters who felt like they belonged to that universe.

From Storyline to Shelf – Designing a Universe Fans Could Take Home: Once we had the Star Galaxy Adventure story locked in, I knew the merchandise couldn’t just be souvenirs—it had to feel like it came from that world. The characters, the setting, the tone—all of it needed to live beyond the attraction and show up in ways fans could hold, wear, and collect.

I started by identifying the most memorable touchpoints of the guest journey: the quirky alien sidekicks, the bold intergalactic logo, the colorful planetary visuals. These elements became the foundation for a playful, character-driven product line that felt like it had been pulled straight from the galaxy itself.

There were plush versions of the alien characters—soft, a little weird, and totally loveable. We created mugs with bright, saturated colors and a bold logo that practically hummed with energy. And the photo frames? Pure fun. They turned moments from the adventure into tangible keepsakes, surrounded by the same creatures guests had just met on their journey.

Every product was designed to feel like a piece of the story—whether it was something you wore, drank from, or kept on a shelf. The goal was simple: let fans bring a bit of that galaxy home with them. Judging by the smiles (and the sell-outs), we hit the mark.

NYU Animation Essentials Course, Leopold Lizard

I’m currently enrolled in NYU’s Animation Essentials course, where I’m diving into the fundamentals of movement, timing, character performance, and visual storytelling. As part of the course, I’ve been developing an original character—Leopold Lizard, or Leo for short. He’s a lovable, somewhat mischevious lizard with big dreams and bigger expressions, and he’s been my canvas for bringing personality and emotion to life, frame by frame.

PS 183 Lion Logo

The Heart of PS 183: A Lion’s Tale of Unity and Creativity: Designing a new logo for PS 183 wasn’t just a visual update—it was a powerful exercise in collaboration. Students from every grade participated, sharing ideas, sketches, and votes to decide what symbol best represented their school. They chose the lion for strength and pride, with a vibrant mane to reflect the school’s diversity and creativity. Most important of all was the message beneath: “Take Care of Each Other”—a motto the students live by. This logo wasn’t just designed for the school—it was designed with the school. A true reflection of community, identity, and shared values.

FROM THE VAULT: When I was "Talent"

Think back to those "Must See Thursdays" of days gone by... You might have noticed a handsome young lad sandwiched inbetween your favorite "Friends," "Melrose Place," or "Veronica's Closet" episodes and wondered "Who is that guy?" That may very well be the question that continues to keep you up at night. (Sometimes I wonder the same thing). Look no further – I give you my FIRST and LAST adventures in front of the camera.

On Television...

In Photography...

HAMMING IT UP ON SET

Behind the Scenes (and Probably Behind a Gurney): I have a mysterious talent for ending up on shoots set in hospitals—scrub-adjacent, badge-wearing, and dramatically pushing IV poles like I missed my true calling in daytime TV. Whether I’m directing the perfect over-the-shoulder shot or overacting in a background role as “Concerned Relative #3,” I fully commit. I like to say I bring creative vision and craft services-worthy theatrics to set. Because why just capture the drama when you can be the drama?

Paging Dr. Extra—you’re needed on set, stat.

FROM THE VAULT: The coveted Green River 1978 Star Christmas Coloring Contest 1st Place Award

This is the first dollar bill I earned. I wonder how much it would have grown if I'd invested it back then? Hmmmm....

THAT TIME I WAS ON THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW

Just one of those random Monday mornings, ended up "sounding off" with Wendy Williams, live on air.

THAT TIME I WAS INTERVIEWED ON THE STREET BY NPR ABOUT CHAKA KHAN

GOTHAM VOLLEYBALL: Social Media

The mission of Gotham Volleyball is to improve the quality of life for GLBTQ individuals by building community through the sport of volleyball in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Social Media is a huge component in keeping the league informed and motivated on and off the court. As a volunteer, I helped create a system of graphic messages for use on all social platforms for various purposes.

GOTHAM VOLLEYBALL: Coming Out Project

I’ve had the privilege of working on The Coming Out Project with Gotham Volleyball. Providing a platform for all members to share their personal coming out stories during the weeks leading up to National Coming Out Day, we’ve created a living exhibit that continues to grow and evolve every year. An annual story exhibition and video series brings members together in celebration and encourages others to experience the freedom of coming out.

VIDEO: Personal Stories

Several members shared their stories in a video series, giving them an opportunity to encourage and inspire their peers and those who haven't yet made the choice to break out of the closet.

DISPLAY: Gay History Timeline 

To put the struggle in perspective, we created a timeline to illustrate the leaps and bounds LGBTQ people have made in recent decades and the torchbearers who came before.

LIVING EXHIBITION

In the weeks leading up, every member was encouraged to fill out a simple card to share the details of their coming out story. All cards were displayed in the halls outside the high school gym where the league plays weekly. The display became a living exhibition that told each member's story, individually and as members of a greater community. To further detail the coming out stories of the Gotham Volleyball community at large, card data was visualized into an infographic – detailing what year the participants came out and at what age. The exhibition and data expands annually.

AND NOW FOR A COOKIE BREAK...

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 large eggs

• Ground sea salt

• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

INSTRUCTIONS

• PREHEAT oven to 375° F.  COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Let mixer run on lowest speed until dough becomes a light brown color.

• Chill the dough in your refrigerator for 1/2 hour.

• Drop by rounded spoon (regular-size, from your silverware) onto ungreased baking sheets. 

• Pour adequate amount of ground sea salt on a saucer, roll top half cookie dough ball in salt and place on baking sheet with salt side up. BAKE 13-14 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

• Then enjoy to your heart's content!