I grew up in Pennsylvania, where as a child I enjoyed drawing and painting horses. When I was very young my parents gave me a “paint by numbers” set and I remember taking the left over paint for creating my own compositions. I enjoyed the creative process so much that I took as many art related classes as I could while in school.
After a year of studies with Patricia Cochran in the 70’s, my view of art changed greatly. Patricia taught the approach of the Old Masters and an exciting new world of light and color opened up; it is what I still pursue today.
After moving to the Grand Canyon in 1981, I found little time for painting. Working as a mule guide for 3 years saw to that. Although the magnificent landscape was a livelihood, it was above all an inspiration. I then conducted my trained profession as owner/operator of Bright Angel Hair Design for 17 years. Though very busy, I still had time to explore and absorb the beauty of the canyon from river to rim. This awesome experience can still be seen in my work. My favorite painting subject is still Grand Canyon.
Completing a painting class taught by Tom Darro, in 1997, at the Scottsdale Art Institute, brought me back to painting with oils, my favorite medium. After moving to the White Mountains in 2000, I completed several plein air classes with Scott Jennings. I am active in the Art Alliance of the White Mountain and in 2004 one of my plein air pieces won first place in their annual juried art show. In 2005, one of my paintings was selected in the mini top 100, Arts for the Parks competition. In 2006 a Grand Canyon river trip filled a long time desire to paint in the depths of Grand Canyon. In October of 2006, 2007, and 2008, I ended the summer season with a weeklong plein air event, Paint the Aspens. Being chosen to demonstrate Plein Air painting to the public for the Celebration of the Arts on the South rim of Grand Canyon as well as a 14 day Dory boat trip were highlights of my 2009 painting year.
I now live among the beautiful red rocks of Sedona, where I am currently at the Sedona Arts Center Gallery and the Sedona Giclee Gallery. Becoming a member of the Arizona Plein Air Painters has also widened my painting horizons and I am also on their Board. I am a member of the Sedona Visual Artist’s Coalition. In addition, I am a member of the El Valle Artists and took 1st place in the oil painting division in their Jan. 2012 show.
