Life as an artist began for me in southern New Jersey working on our family's apple and peach farm.  Farm life allowed me to spend most of my day outdoors free to observe and study animals.  During that time I developed a deep respect for wildlife and began differentiating animals by their distinct personalities.  I paid particular attention to how they interact and express themselves. 

I left the farm for a degree in Graphic Design at the University of Maryland in College Park.  At the time computers were not available so the project solutions were intensively hands-on and consisted of conventionally craft like processes; a multi-disciplined mix of illustrative and three-dimensional treatments using gouache, acrylics and oils coupled with photography, screen-printing, drafting and collage.  Other coursework focused on theories of color use and application along with physics classes on light, optical blending and texture.

Although my major was focused on advertising design, the curriculum allowed me to discover and experiment with a wide range of media, art forms and tools.  While studies were primarily focused on visual techniques for sharing information and summoning emotional reactions with split-second accuracy and impact, the means for creating these solutions were based primarily on skillful mastery of fine art techniques and innovations.

Upon graduation I continued honing my fine art skills for two decades while working in the field of corporate marketing.  In my spare time I became increasingly interested in acrylic painting and developed my own techniques and skills.  Over time, as my enthusiasm for fine art grew I was drawn back full circle to my passion for wildlife, color and effervescent expressions of joy and harmony.  

Eventually I latticed the artistic techniques I had internalized over the years with my dramatic use of color; a caricature-like mixture of flailing, energetic splashes of complimentary colors with quirky animal personalities which have been repeatedly described as “unique and whimsical animal art with point-blank smile impact.”

”Rocketworm",  “JD Piglet” and “Fat Cat” are triumphant, joyful stories of animal self awareness and determination whereas “Lone Buzzard”  and “Sea Turtle” are colorful yet simple expressions of peace, harmony and self content.

People often ask "Where do these ideas originate?" It is a tough answer because they come from all angles and directions.  Sometimes I see something that initiates a thought process, sometimes a certain mood, dream or experience inspires a story and I paint a moment from that story, sometimes I sit and just think about a subject and an idea surfaces.  I try to explain that it mostly comes from an internal process and it is not easy to predict what and when, however I have trained myself to "manage" my creative flow giving me a massiv file cabinet of ideas for paintings when I call on them.  The most exciting aspect is I don't always know what is going to pop into my head.

Folks also describe my work as energetic which makes me happy because creating gives me energy. 

Inspiration; I am mostly inspired by animals, bright colors - and I like to smile.
In each work I try to embody the universal emotion of joy every being seeks to obtain; every painting an attempt to deliver smiles in a frozen moment of time within the life of animals we often take for granted as manageable commodities.