"The imagery in my paintings initially comes from my immediate environment, especially the turbulence of the clouds, colors created by weather and the natural patterning of the earth. I continually do small sketches, making note of colors, textures and phrases to use as titles. These sketches are the basis of my paintings. With a process that is both intuitive and improvisational, I start each piece by drawing simple, open shapes and linear elements with charcoal and oil pastel. Then, I fill in with areas of color, scraping off layers and adding them back until the composition reveals itself. I use both palette knives and brushes, which gives a boldness and physicality to my works. Overall, I want to convey the raw, primitive energy of nature and my ability to balance the shapes, lines, colors and surface quality is key to achieving this. I’m not afraid to embrace the concept of beauty in my work, especially as it relates to color and design. Throughout my career, I’ve been influenced by a full spectrum of landscape painting, both traditional and contemporary. Some of my earlier works had the atmospheric look of the Tonalist painters of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Later works were influenced by artists such as Richard Deibenkorn and contemporary British painter David Blackburn. In more recent bodies of work, my use of color separated areas and certain color combinations reflect my interest in Asian art, specifically antique Japanese prints." EducationMFA, University of Houston, Painting; Full Teaching Fellowship (Drawing)BFA, Atlanta College of Art, Printmaking​Teaching Kennesaw State University/ School of Art and Design; 2006 - 2014: 2D Design and Color Theory; Arts and Society Georgia Perimeter College: 1994 - 2004: Painting, Drawing, Art Appreciation, 2D Design and Color Theory Art Institute of Atlanta: 1994 - 2006: 2D Design and Color Theory click here to view the artist's complete CV