Name some artists that have influenced you: If I’m looking at who actually shaped my brain, I have to start with Steve Jobs. It isn’t about the products; it’s about that relentless, borderline obsessive attention to detail. He’s the reason I care about the "back of the fence" and why I’ll spend hours obsessing over a font. He proved that technology should be an elegant, integrated experience rather than just a pile of features. And, yes, I absolutely considered him an artist.

Then there's "Weird Al" (Yankovic). He’s the ultimate blueprint for being unapologetically yourself. He took a specific, weird niche and turned it into a lifelong masterclass in authenticity and humor. He shows that you don't have to fit into a corporate box to be successful. You just have to be the best version of you.

Now, I don't know if Justin Hillgrove influenced me in the traditional sense - but his work is playful and doesn't take itself too seriously (which is exactly how I feel about my own projects). He creates these monsters and robots that feel approachable and human. That mix of pop culture, whimsy, and high-level craft is exactly the "vibe" I try to bring to everything I build. It's also the reason I have so many of his original works hanging in my home.

Share an artistic accomplishment you are proud of: I'm probably more of a performance artist, so... the moment that truly validated everything for me was... being able to host live video on the official Star Wars YouTube channel. That was the global stage. It wasn't just about the brand; it was about being the guy they trusted to talk to millions of people in real-time about a universe I actually care about. It felt like all the years of building my own platforms and refining how I communicate finally paid off on the most galactic scale possible. 

Why do you teach art? Whether it's AI or 3D printing, there is this gatekeeping culture where people try to make things seem like dark magic to keep others out. Or people feel shut out because nobody talks to them and their needs. I teach to enable agency and empowerment. I want to pull back the curtain and show people that these tools are just high-speed brushes. If I can take someone who feels intimidated and give them the confidence to own their own potential, then I've done my job. I’m not showing people how to use something. I’m teaching them how to not be afraid of the future.