Genetics and environment

As the grandson of a prolific and talented artist, sometimes the bloodline provides a higher chance of inheriting some natural talent. Sometimes it skips a generation (or in my case, just me) as my sister is a brilliant Glass artist and has a thriving art career going in Oregon (KellyHowardGlass.com) while I am fortunate enough to live in a time where a computer can help me draw a straight line. Fortunately it may have nicked my children, but there hasn't been enough focus to see where those skill stand in the order of things.

My father however John R, did get fully nicked, and he turned his exposure and heritage into a lifelong pursuit of a art-engineering combination skill set known as Industrial design, (KDA Industrial Design of Addison IL) Which he led until the technology evolved their core skill sets and his age prevented him from continuing. (Which ironically was similar to the evolution in Advertising Illustration that pushed his father into photography more in his later years.)

Art surrounded the family, my Aunt was a fashion designer & model who married a artist (and art professor in Syracuse), and my mother also was into fashion design, which after a short run at Vouge, she practiced locally in every family and local organization that she could apply her considerable skills.

I was their tech support. Which is what I still contribute in their honor and legacy thru this medium.