| Justin grew up in the small town of Algonac, MI. Making art, especially drawing and painting, have always been a large part of his life. His father, Lawrence, a talented artist and craftsman in his own right, was a huge influence in the development of his son's apparent artistic skill. Hours of watching his father draw and create beautiful woodworking pieces gave Justin an insight into the patience and skill it would take to turn a pastime into a profession.
After graduating from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, MI. in 2000, he went to work in two print shops, offset and silkscreen, in order to learn the printing process from the inside out. In 2003 he became a Graphic Designer and Contributing Illustrator for the Metro Times in Detroit, MI. It was here that Justin began to hit his stride artistically. Here he was offered a chance to experiment with different illustration styles, color and black and white, hand drawn and computer generated. A weekly deadline sharpened his instincts. The group of talented and progressive thinkers he worked with challenged him. He was forced to turn raw ability into relevant illustrations that aided the writers in conveying their message.
Currently, Justin is working primarily with colored pencils occasionally combined with pen and ink. His illustrations can be seen in children's books and in the Metro Times. He is presently employed as a Graphic Designer for The Palace Sports and Entertainment in Auburn Hills, MI., home of the NBA's Detroit Pistons and the WNBA's Detroit Shock basketball teams. |
