My Story with the Aquascape Artist of the Year Award Recipients

I Call Them Friends

It was an honor to be up on stage with these driven “won’t stop” types of people. Every one of these guys isn’t just excellent business people and incredibly talented artists – they are my friends. Firmly cemented as a part of my career and life story. 
 
We’ve shared countless experiences over the years all over the world, laughs, grinding through some of the worst conditions we’ve ever worked in (remember the build at @shaq O’Neal!?) 
 
My being a part of this @aquascape_aoty group started many years ago. I remember first seeing Chris Siewing and John Adams winning these awards 9-10 years ago. Then Jaak Harju won it, and that year lit a fire in me. I remember leaving Pondemonium that day in 2014 as if it were yesterday. 
 
I wanted that award. 

Something Special About This Award 

There was something about this award that made me want it extra bad. 
 
It was a pure award. 
 
It couldn’t be bought. It wasn’t based on sales or one person’s opinion. The next Artist of the Year was always selected by the Aquascape team, Greg, Ed, Brian, and the past @aquascape_aoty winners. To me, this was the most coveted award you could win in the water feature industry. 
 
But it didn’t happen overnight. It took years, thousands of hours of honing my craft. Seeking every chance to work beside and learn from past artists. Well-deserving artists, Joey Genovese and Alan Decker, won the award over the next few years. Each year I’d go home, more determined than ever.

I was hungry. 
 
In 2017, that day finally came. I was electric. But it wasn’t just me. It was the folks at the @tussey.landscaping team that made this possible.

Team effort. 
 
And that has afforded me the privilege of experiences all over the world with these guys. I couldn’t be more blessed. 
 
It’s an honor and privilege. Thank you, to Greg Wittstock, CEO of Aquascape, for all you pour into us. 
 
Congrats Ralph Biezad at @pondscapesaz on being the 2022 AOTY. So deserving.