A New Beginning

A New Beginning

It’s January 1st as I write this and usually I would spend the day reflecting on the challenges and accomplishments of the past year. Today is a little different though and I found myself reflecting on not just last year but the past 13. The reason? In December of 2011 I decided it was time to leave my position as Art Director of Rue Morgue Magazine to pursue a freelance career.

I’ve been with the magazine since almost the beginning and calling it my dream job is an understatement. As a lifelong horror fan, it has been nothing short of incredible to design 112 issues dedicated to something I love. I did not make this decision lightly, in fact it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.  Rue Morgue gave me the opportunity to meet and work with so many of my idols but it is the life-long friendships I made there that I cherish most.

I am excited to say that my good friend Justin Erickson will be taking the reins behind the design desk.  I know I am leaving the magazine in good hands. He is an amazing talent, and I am excited to see where he takes it.

Even though I am no longer the Art Director, this is not really a goodbye because the house of horror wouldn’t let me go that easily.  I will still be turning up in the pages of Rue Morgue, contributing artwork and doing a bit of writing. I have also been working with Rodrigo Gudiño on his first feature film, The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh, something I’m very excited about. So while it may seem like I’m absent from the magazine, I will still be around. In fact, you may be seeing me a bit more often. One of the many goals I have for this year is to appear at more conventions and meet more like-minded artists and horror fans.

Thank you to my wife Nicole for all her support and my Rue Morgue family and friends during this transition into my own digs. Over the past 13 years I have watched the magazine grow, weather a few storms and celebrate many milestones. It has truly been a pleasure to creatively collaborate with all of you.

I also want to thank all the writers, readers and crazy folks I’ve met along the way. I was looking through the covers of Rue Morgue and it has been an incredible journey. Each issue tells a story of where we were professionally and personally at that moment in time. Here’s to new beginnings and I wish everyone continued success in the new year. I have some amazing projects lined up and I am excited to see all of the things 2012 brings.