“Destiny chose my path, I did not choose it.”
I've been drawing and painting since I can remember. However, growing up in a small Midwest town, art as a profession was neither discussed nor encouraged. That said, the creative flame continued to burn inside me, so I forged on without looking back. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Miami University (Ohio), as painting and advertising major with a marketing minor, which led me to a very successful career as a graphic designer/art director in Dallas, TX.
Eventually, I craved a more artistic, expressive outlet, so I transitioned into illustration, working with reps and clients across the country. Then, an unexpected opportunity to open a gallery in the Colorado mountains presented itself. In addition to representing a large stable of artists, this new business opportunity also allowed me to pursue my dream as a fine artist and exhibit my fine art in public. Fate then led me to New Mexico, where I became a full-time painter, where I was stunned and inspired by the natural beauty and magic of Santa Fe and the Southwest --- its vistas, skies, nature, and especially the indigenous traditions and storytelling. 180 degrees from my roots, this magical place allowed the flame inside me to burn even brighter. The energy and world-class quality of work emanating from hundreds of artists and galleries in this tight-knit creative community, attracted art collectors from across the country and the globe to this tiny dot on the map. The infusion of this complex, creative fuel was indescribable. I lived and worked as a painter in New Mexico for over 20 years, but recently moved my home and studio to Florida.
The arid high desert influenced my work for many years, but I have found new inspiration and subjects to paint in this paradoxical world of water, giant birds, thunderstorms, reptiles, and magical and mysterious sea life. My work has been exhibited in museums and dozens of solo and group gallery exhibitions nationally and internationally, such as Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Charleston, Sun Valley, Colorado, Ohio, Florida, Germany, and South Korea.
My work and artistic journey have been documented and published extensively and my paintings have been in private, government, public, and corporate collections across the nation and the globe.
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