I was born on July 16, 1980 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Helen Mary Lasley and Bruce Alan McKinley. Yes, they were married at the time, but I wanted you to know my Mother’s maiden man. She changed it to Helen Lasley McKinley once they were married. Actually she goes by Polly for some reason. I never really understood that link there are really didn’t realize how weird it was until I got much older.

We lived briefly in California and moved to Houston when my Dad got a job working for a contractor for NASA. I was four when we set foot in Clear Lake City, where I was doomed to spend my childhood and adolescence.

Clear Lake resembles a run of the mill suburb of any giant polluted city, lots of white kids running around in overpriced vehicles, insufferable conservativism around every mosquito infested corner, the breeding ground of the future business admin college at UT Austin.

I attended Presbyterian Day School as a grade-schooler, Clear Lake Intermediate as a preadolescent/adolescent, and Clear Lake High School when I hit 14. I hated every waking moment of High School. I had never been so tired in my life and so completely unmotivated to attempt any sort of progressive thought. The whole school was continually set at pale, fluorescent-lit bodies.

Due to my rebellious nature, as you have undoubtedly noticed by now; I rarely put forth all my effort to make A’s and scraped by the scowl of my towering father with moderate B’s. I also shut out all natural light from my bedroom with black sheets and wore black velvet and satin to school every day.

After a year there, I transferred to The School of The Art Institute of Chicago where I received my BFA in an additional 2 years, making my entire college experience only 3 years. There was no time to party or act my age at may point during this time.

Upon the advice of the elders I attended graduate school immediately following the receipt of my BFA at the University of North Texas where I had a wonderful time causing all sorts of problems by leaving various rooms painted pink before I received my BFA and embarked upon the greatest adventure of my life, which of course would be the real world.

I now reside in Oklahoma by some very odd turn of fate. I work at Starbucks part time so I can get free coffee.

Close window to return to faculty listing