I was contacted by the online magazine Urban Beardsman to be interviewed as their featured “Beardsman of the Week” for January 17, 2016. I was humbled to be their selection and had a lot of fun answering their questions.

You can read the interview below or see it over at Urban Beardsman’s website. 

Aaron Riddle – Beardsman of the Week

January 17, 2016

Who I Am.

My name is Aaron Riddle. I am a cartoonist, illustrator, graphic designer, photographer and pet-pig owner. Since the ripe old age of two years old I have been drawing cartoons or creating some type of art in one manner or another. I’m happily married with two amazing daughters. We all share a love for creativity, the arts and nature enjoying our time spent together in our home in the woods as a family.

What I Do.

By day I am a Graphic Design and Digital Media Specialist for the best community college in Virginia. After hours I run a custom drawing / cartoon business named Buy a Drawing (http://www.buyadrawing.com).

Throughout my school years I could be found at my drawing desk or computer creating artwork…from cartoons and illustrations to digital designs and videos. Of all the drawings I create, I always have the most fun when I make them for someone as a personal request…be it a drawing they want or one they want to give to a friend. I have been told several of my high school friends and college co-workers still have drawings I did for them years ago, and that means a great deal to me.

I have always taken my drawing talents for granted thinking of them as no big deal. However as I have grown older, I have seen how people really enjoy and value my art when I create it for them personally…a one-of-a-kind drawing that no one else can have. So I thought why not let everyone have an opportunity to ask for their own personal drawing? You get a cool, custom drawing and I get to draw in my spare time. That is a win-win in my book!

Where I Live.

I live in the mountains of Winchester, VA which is about 1.5 hours from Washington, D.C. and 2 hours from Baltimore. I was born and raised on the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore, MD. After I got married, we decided to trade the water for the mountains and move somewhere in the country to raise a family. We absolutely love it here, and while it is hard work living on a mountain (chopping wood, which is great exercise), I would not trade it for anything.

Why I Beard.

Aside from living in the woods and chopping wood (why WOULDN’T I have a beard?!), it has a deeper meaning to me. I have tried growing a beard here and there over my lifetime, but had been clean shaven for many years after college. A few years ago I had a few life changing experiences that made me realize the absolute importance of family and loved ones, along with being able to love yourself for who you are. This time as I have grown my beard out it serves as a reminder to me to always be a devoted husband and loving father. Everyday I look in the mirror I see someone who is proud of who he is and loves his wife and family very much.

Links.

Website: http://www.buyadrawing.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/buyadrawing
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/buydraw
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/buyadrawing