Norman Rockwell

This is the outside of the barbershop in the town where I grew up, where I left, and where I boomeranged back to. As a teenager and even in my 20s studying in New York City, I used to think where I came from was "lame". And maybe to some it is. But there's something simple and beautiful that exists here. Something I should have been more courageous about sharing before. Something I missed in the arrogance of my early teens and 20s. Something I should not have denied. It's not perfect, it doesn't encompass every experience in America, but I think it encompasses the best parts of a Norman Rockwell painting. A place where peace and inspiration are the norm and where one can raise a family. It's also the place that helped safely foster my love of storytelling. For that I am forever grateful.

Hersey’s Barbershop. Medina, OH.

Home

Place and geography play a big part in the stories I tell. As a native of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, so much of how I tell stories and my perspective is drawn from the culture of where I grew up. My perspective isn’t definitive of this region, only a part of it’s rich tapestry.

Cleveland is a city that produces great storytellers. I mean for the love of God, #superman was created here. My family is from this place. I left the area when I was 18 years old and came back and now have called Cleveland & Northeast Ohio home for nearly 10 years. It's a place that can be harsh, difficult , misunderstood , comforting and beautiful. It's a place where stories are plentiful. I'm going to keep telling them 7 minutes at a time

The house in Cleveland, OH where the idea for Superman was born.