The continuing quest to create, develop and refine personal artistic skills and knowledge is, in my view, a lifetime endeavor. Since early childhood, with encouragement from parents, teachers and friends, my interests in drawing and painting continue to evolve and grow.
Princinpally self-taught, my adventurous explorations as an artist are viewed as personally rewarding. Opportunities afforded by attendance and participation numerous local, regional and international art workshops have enabled me to learn and become media competent using oils, watercolors, colored and graphite pencils, pastels, and pen and ink. Known principally for my work as an "Aviation Artist", this life-long passion to express and interpret the world of flight contunuted unabated.
Studies in Central Mexico's San Miguel De Allende (1995-2002) have stimulated strong interest in art history, color theory, composition and design. These experience have led to an expanded exploration of abstract expressionism and experimentation with design and color relationships.
Utilizing 36 years of accumulated experience as a classroom teacher, school pshychologist, and special education program developer and administrator and now 18 years as a retiree, I continue to share with others my abilities as a teaching artist with focus on introducing children and adults to experience and appreciate more fully the basic foundation skills of drawing, composition, color and design.
The words and wisdom of Robert Henri convey for me fundamental sensitivities and attitudes that infulence my work. "When we look at anything, we see beyond the objects we draw. We should draw with this spiritual sight. Thus the measure of a painting is the conception of the artist. The value of a work of art depends on the flight the observer takes from it" (Henri, "The Art Spirit").
