Painting has been a lifelong dream for me, but before the late 1980’s my efforts were sporadic. I had been employed in a variety of fields, mostly on the staffs of politicians and attorneys.In the mid-80’s, I was exposed to the impressionism of a group of artists in New Mexico, Vinella, one of these painters in the mountains north of Taos, NM. Vinella and the setting were inspiring. After that workshop, the more I painted, the more I was consumed with a desire to create beautiful images. Painting during every available moment, I read art books constantly and studied paintings in museums and galleries.

In 1989 I began showing my work in local art festivals, and gallery representation soon followed. My work is now carried in galleries in Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania, as well as in my studio/gallery in Austin, TX.

One of the greatest joys associated with my artwork has been my involvement with young people of Juticalpa, Honduras. When I was there in October 2000 on a mission trip with members of my church, I learned that the Honduran government provides education only through the 6th grade. After that, the student’s family must pay. The people in the colonia where we were constructing houses to replace those lost after Hurricane Mitch, the families had a hard enough time providing food for their children, and an education was out of the question. We started a scholarship fund using my paintings, limited edition giclée prints, posters and note cards to raise money to send qualified students to school beyond the 6th grade. In our first year, 2002, we had 14 students, and in 2003 we have 20. Using “my dream” to help them realize their dreams has been so rewarding, and at the same time so humbling.

Painting in a direct manner with vivid colors and bold brushstrokes, the joy for me is in the creation, but the enthusiastic response of viewers validates my efforts. Beauty surrounds us, but we are so busy hurrying and scurrying around, we seldom pay attention to it. In my work I constantly seek to portray the beauty in everyday things – everyday scenes – to encourage viewers to take a moment to appreciate the way the light falls on a garden path or the brilliant colors in a simple vase of fresh picked flowers. Color excites me, and I love to emphasize it.

In these troubled times, it is my hope that my paintings in some small way will help to erase the terrible images we have burned into our minds. I seek to help viewers concentrate instead on the beauty and harmony God intended for us – to give a message of hope.