Artist

Maps

Ever since I was in elementary school, I've been drawing maps. My obsession began with a computer game for the Apple IIc that my dad brought home when I was 7 or 8, Ultima III - Exodus. I didn't even know how to use a computer yet, but the cover art fascinated me - a demonic looking creature amidst a lava filled cavern. I had to learn how to start programs on a computer (back when we had to insert a floppy disk and type commands like "run exodus" to play it), and thus began my lifelong love of technology.

My favorite Ultima game was the sequel to Exodus, Ultima IV - Quest for the Avatar. In this game, your characters wandered about an overworld map, finding towns and castles, shrines and dungeons, and of course lots of monsters like orcs and dragons. The goal of the game wasn't to kill all the bad guys, but simply to become a shining example for the people of this fictituos world to follow. There were eight virtues you had to excell in - to "level up". Compassion, Sacrifice, Honor, Honesty, Humility, Spirituality, Justice, and Valor. And there were quests you needed to fulfill and secrets you needed to learn along the way. And this all played out within Brittannia, I fictional world developed by Richard Garriott, AKA Lord British - one of my real world heroes to this day.

Throughout becoming obsessed with this series (and Zelda and Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior and Phantasy Star and the list goes on and on...), I realized one of the things I loved the most were the worlds. I began to design my own.

First were Legos, they will always hold a place in my heart. I'd build the castle sets and lay siege to them with my friends. But I longed for something less limiting, so I took to pencil and paper where my imagination could run free. I would draw mazes, and dungeons, complete with rooms and in-game characters with backstories and of course, TREASURE. I met some friends at a sleep away camp and was introduced to Dungeons and Dragons. I was hooked.

I still draw maps to this day. My latest are in my own world, Septernia, which has become the backdrop for my boardgame Jafabit and its online version that is still firmly entrenched in the design phase.

Beads

My girlfriend and I love spending time together beading with crystals. We put up a simple store to browse some of our designs. Every string is unique. If you'd like something custom, we'd be more than happy to work with you. Also, stay tuned for other projects by us in the alternative wellness space.

Cases

My old college friend (Steve Tyler) and I used to be two of the original computer case modders. We were somewhat internet famous for the time (late 90s) with our designs. My favorite case was this one I made for my friend that flies planes (he still uses this case - and yes, the propellers/fans do spin).

We were also known at URI for creating the SuperSTAR case in the Tyler computer science lab. I wonder where that ended up!?

The firedrake case (shown in blue - wish I took photos of the red interior lighting and all black drive bays) is what I was somewhat internet famous for.