그의 아버지는 직업 해병대원이었고 어머니는 뛰어난 예술가였습니다. 어머니의 영향으로 닐은 어린 나이에 미술계에 입문했습니다. 그는 크레용을 처음 손에 쥐었을 때 자신의 미래가 결정되었다고 말합니다.

His father was a career Marine and his mother was an accomplished artist. The influence of his mother led Neil to the art world at an early age. He says the first time he held a bunch of crayons in his hand his future life was decided.