I have now created art professionally for almost exactly half of my life (since 1995). I have won awards for my art, avoided awards for much more of that time, and largely ignored what anyone else does, aside from a few creative and personal influences.  I had options, and I chose to make art.  I've since worked with some great clients, and I value where that has got me, even if every day feels like I'm starting all over again. You won't find me making prints of my art, or creating what I think you might like.  There are plenty of other sources of those sort of art products, and I prefer to strive for originality in what I do, if achieving that only momentarily and seldom.  Here is a bit of my story and how it relates to what you are looking at.   The value of art is determined by, amongst other factors, its presence (how it commands attention right now) and its provenance (how it came to achieve that). My own journey isn't underpinned by a story borne out of traumatic experiences, but rather out of a positive approach and some inspired choices.  Although I am moving towards my art being less safe (appearing more 'traumatized' itself) it's no surprise that my style is one of simplicity, earthiness and organic in nature, and with positive messages, albeit from the point of view of an introvert often seeking solitude and then shouting their message loudly from there.   Perhaps a unique aspect of art, and artists, is that you cannot separate everyday life, or accumulated skills and experience, from the process of producing your product.  For expression to take place, inspiration must occur, and this inspiration can be derived from any number of places, but most effectively from within.  With this this mind, and cursed with a need to constantly learn new skills, the type that money can't buy, I have applied my passion across many subjects, and these all come together in every piece of art.  It is perhaps a precursor to my art's point of difference, and instrumental in establishing the value of what I do. As some background to how I am inspired, I could be described as a Third Culture Kid, ex-Earth Scientist, amateur (and private) musician, polyglot, practical builder of stuff, and keen outdoor athlete and adventurer. But I'm not sure anyone else would describe me as that, perhaps settling for a single one of those depending on who they are, or 'he appears to be an artist'. Whatever that means.