There was never a time when I wasn't drawn to art. In my teens I was introduced to private study as well as programs at the Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. These experiences grounded me in classical realism and nearly led me to a career in medical illustration. Instead, I was sidetracked into a thirty year career in health care which included teaching at the collegiate level.
However, I never abandoned art, continued to study, enter competitions, and attend workshops. By 1997, I finally realized that art was the most important thing in my life and I made the leap into self employment.
The primary influence on my art since 1997 has been the work of the American Impressionists. I have always admired their ability to vividly capture a scene in a given moment of time and this is what I strive to achieve.
The human figure continues to fascinate, and I tend to include people in most of my works. I am fortunate to belong to an artist group that paints in a studio setting with live models. I find that drawing from life is one of the most technically challenging experiences and results in the artist painting not only better portraits but any other subject.
Having owned boats for over 25 years, I also call upon my passion for the beauty of oceans and rivers and use my knowledge of yachting in marine paintings. Our current craft is a 36 ft live-aboard trawler.
Using my background in education I accepted the challenge of serving as president of a 250 member arts organization responsible for large scale workshops with nationally recognized presenters, six times per year. I worked with a computer technician to develop a website that allows each member to update and display their work and for the organization to promote all their programs.
I am comfortable working in oil, acrylics, watercolor and pastel and teach at the Brevard Museum of Art. I hold signature memberships in the American Impressionist Society, The Florida Watercolor Society, The Georgia Watercolor Society and associate memberships in the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, The American Society of Marine Artists, The American Watercolor Society and the Portrait Society of America.
My work is in collections in hospitals, and with private individuals in Central America, the Bahamas and both the East and West Coast.
