I wanted to make a series of "personal icons" to represent ideas that mean a lot to me. These are just things that I always come back to in my mind, and they resonate with me.
Even in times of peace, keep your weapons sharp! My family takes pride in having a strong work ethic, and it was really hammered into me when I was a kid, no pun intended. The hammer and anvil has always been something I pictured when I was working hard, and trying to create a rhythm.
"Always remember, you're fireborn."
My personal branding is all inspired by fire and lightning. I grew up in New England, and my parents heated our home with a wood stove. The yearly cycle of gathering, cutting, splitting, stacking, drying, carrying, and burning wood taught me a lot as a kid. I've always loved watching flames, and the radiant warmth of a good fire is one of my favorite things on earth.

Freedom among the stars! For my whole life I've been obsessed with this idea of having an individual spacecraft, and being able to jump between galaxies with ease. I just love the idea of absolute freedom and exploration. Not a dream for this lifetime, but maybe my great great grandkids will actually get to live it.

This one is actually to represent a quote by Robert M Pirsig from the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance that I really love.

"“Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here’s where things grow."

I always pictured it like living with a manual transmission. Downshifting when I feel exhaustion, and upshifting when restlessness creeps in. It's a way of being present that I try to live by.


Thank you for finding this project, and for taking the time to get to know me!