
I am a self-promoting professional artist. However in 2006, when I began the transition from a corporate career to full-time artist, I found it difficult to introduce myself that way. I loved my work as an artist and found that my skills and creativity were a natural fit. As I progressed rapidly in this work, my self-confidence and stature as a professional became a comfortable part of my buoyant personality. Now I proudly announce, "I am a full-time artist."
Since then, I have moved on from painting representationally to nonobjective, lyrical abstracts. My current work is based on experimentation with color and texture as it relates to common themes of music, health, and emotions. Blending saturated colors and applying resin are favorite techniques along with creating unique surfaces that produce textural depth and movement in my paintings.
I believe that being alone much of the time in childhood forced me to be creative, which prepared me for being a "loner" in the studio. In fact, I relish my "alone time." "Raspy sax and repetitive percussive beats of jazz" accompany me as I express myself on canvas.
Visual arts in public education eluded me, and I became a different kind of artist. I began singing in early childhood and aspired to becoming a professional singer. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance and taught music for several years. While still in high school, a visit to the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum in Kansas City, Missouri opened my eyes and heart to the world of visual fine arts. I found the experience breath-taking!
Like many artists, I am often asked about my "muse," about what inspires me. I answer with a quote by Chuck Close, "Inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of us just show up and get to work." Still I find inspiration in my very first brushstroke or "marks" on canvas. Each new mark or layer is a response to the previous one. i especially enjoy discovering new tools for "mark-making" by roaming the aisles of hardware stores or the kitchen areas of department and home stores.
My mission is simple: "Paint excellent paintings; tell people about them; and sell these paintings to interested people, with the goal of making enough money to eat, drink wine, have a warm home, and not go naked."
When not painting, I work out several days a week at a nearby gym. I like having a book at hand wherever I sit in my home, and when weather permits, I enjoy biking.
I reside in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am married to a very supportive woman. We met on a blind date in Kansas City, Missouri many years ago. We have three adult children and six grandchildren.