Jeff Ockerse has been creating art for as long as he can remember. His passion and dedication earned him a Silver Medal at the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, along with a generous scholarship offer to attend the Columbus College of Art & Design, where he graduated in 2014 with a BFA in Illustration.

Since graduating, Jeff has worked as a freelance graphic designer, illustrator, and mural artist. He believes that a strong foundation in traditional art fundamentals gives artists the greatest freedom to express their imagination.

When he’s not teaching, Jeff devotes his time to personal work—exploring imaginative, patterned figures and dreamlike landscapes in both traditional and digital media. His work plays with color, form, and texture in an effort to create immersive, otherworldly experiences. Jeff draws inspiration from Art Nouveau, textile design, anime, Japanese printmaking, historical illustration, and his frequent travels.