My artistic endeavor is to express myself by capturing on canvas the inherent beauty that I see around me. I celebrate each day as a personal and visual gift. My favorite time of day is the late afternoon, with its long shadows and unfiltered light. This is the time when shapes take on an accentuated definition, colors deepen in intensity, and water sparkles.

The amazing gifts of nature capture my attention. I am an appreciator of simple moments in time such as: leaves tossed in the wind, sea spray, rain-pelted streets, or a river of car lights on the freeway. As an artist, I have a deep regard for fine art and architecture. You will find that many of my paintings include bridges, buildings and boats. I paint what inspires me at the moment.

I believe that people should cultivate their creative passions, no matter what their preferred artistic genre. Dancers must dance, writers must write, and singers must sing. When you have discovered your calling, take the first step and build your life’s work on the foundational principles of your craft. For the artist, a painting begins with the concept, moves to a drawing, and then employs design principles and elements. Those principles include: balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis and unity. The elements involve decisions about the use of line, shape, direction, size, texture, color and value.

Study your craft and learn its principles. If it is right for you, then you will know it. Be patient with yourself while you are working through the challenges and the plateaus. Associate with fellow artists and mentor those new to the field. You will find a grace in mentoring others, your technical ability will improve, and you may find a lifetime of personal fulfillment.

I am not a self-taught artist. The art classes that I have taken, the professional workshops that I have attended, and the trial-and-error experience of simply painting, has brought me to my current position as an artist.

May your creative endeavors bring you joy and satisfaction, and take you to where you want to go in life.