The motivation to create emerges when absorbed in observation and visual analysis. I am captivated by light touching a surface, the nuances of a shadow, interplays of color, and other complex facets of our visual world. My paintings are compilations of several photo references, Plein Air studies, memory, and imagination. I collect images of the things that make me stop and envelop me in visual excitement. This could be the depth of the mountains, the radiance of the sunrise or it could be a tree in the parking lot or a rock with just the right shape. Those images become compositions that are recognizable, and real and connect us to the familiar emotions that we experience in viewing the spectacular or even the mundane facets of this place that is home.

Most of my work is dedicated to realism but recently I am exploring new directions that focus on the balance of the disparity and analogy between realism and abstraction. I first paint the image realistically, responding to the moment of light and atmosphere, creating a tangible feeling of that space and time. Then I paint the abstracted versions which will draw out the key hues and elicit a diversity of interpretations and emotions in contrast to the realistic equivalent. The viewer will either gravitate towards one style over another or discover a cohesiveness between the two and search for the relationships they have in common. This investigation in the comparison of these contrasting styles is a time of discovery and procurement of knowledge in the expansion of my creative toolbox.

After 22 years as a teacher of foundations in art education and placing my creative aspirations on hold, I now spend more of my days painting and creating. It fills my tank with overdue contentment.

Academy of Art University
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1999