Born July 13, 1978 in Helena, Montana, to Marlyne Abel, an elementary school teacher, and Keith Abel, a realist painter. I was introduced to art as a child and became very passionate about it, exploring new territories in abstract expressionism and sculpture to photography and eventually graphic design. I graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor degree in studio art with an emphasis in graphic design. After working two years as a graphic designer for an in-house advertising agency at Murdoch's Ranch & Home, I decided to pursue a Master's at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. After graduating December, 2008, I am currently an intern graphic designer at Pentagram in San Francisco under Kit Hinrichs.