I was  born and raised in a small town outside of Riverside in Southern California.  An interest in ceramics and teaching led me to an eventual BA in Fine Art and Teaching Credential from California State University, Fullerton.

 

After graduating,  my wife and I moved to Northern California looking for work and a little less crowding. Because of a recent property tax initiative that had passed in California at the time, school funding was affected, especially art teaching jobs. Wanting to start earning a living, I  subsequently entered the commercial art field. I worked some 20 odd years in the field, mostly in newspaper production management.  During this period, I found time to paint and show watercolors with a like minded group of plein air artists.  In the year 2000, I  was able to devote greater attention to painting.  In 2001 I switched from watercolor to oils and by 2002 I started showing regularly in Sacramento.  My work has been mostly in landscape and still life. I have a yearly show at the 20th st. Gallery in Sacramento and I also occasionally show as a guest artist in other galleries. My work is represented in a number of private homes and public buildings throughout California

 

I have been influenced by a number of teachers and artist, past and present .  However, when I started painting full time in Northern California, I found that the switch to oil paint allowed me to get beyond the early art influences in style and technique and find a more personal and unique voice of my own.

 

As for technique, I’ve never found one that fits all occasions. Whatever helps me say what I’m trying to say is the one that works best.

 

Communicating a feeling of light, a sense of place, or a sensation of atmosphere is as important and interesting to me as the subject itself.

 

 

 

Bio