As a classically trained contemporary realist painter, my work is playful, mysterious and contemplative, not usually all at once, but sometimes. My paintings are fueled by observation, imagination, experience and continuous development. I paint objects or scenes that have the potential to go beyond the obvious and inspire viewers to see more than an accurate depiction of the subjects. Regardless of the subject, I believe that the true measure of a painting’s value is whether the viewer has an immediate and intuitive connection on some level when they see it. That’s the challenge! This is the path I chose many years ago and I am mindful of how difficult and elusive that can be, yet I love to paint and work every day to achieve that goal. In the last few years my work has centered around still life painting that provides an opportunity to express my ideas focused on emotions and thoughts. It might be fruit or oysters which are animated to act out human situations, or putting several objects together to create a message or story, mostly of learning, encouragement and hope. Since I live on the outer part of Cape Cod, I am also inspired by the natural beauty of the dunes and beaches that have been protected from development and preserved in their natural state. To work on my observational and technical skills I spend a considerable amount of time on figurative painting and portraits working from live models in a group setting. These sessions help me remain connected to the community and add to my overall creative experience. The one constant in all my work is the exploration of light and how it affects form and creates atmosphere. I enjoy the challenge of examining my subjects more closely through the process of painting and discovering new ways to express my ideas. My desire to push technical craftsmanship along with emotion and implied narrative is what excites and drives me as a painter. My approach with every painting is to enjoy and learn from the process everytime I paint. Sharing my experience with each piece is also part of the process as I hope to seize the viewer’s attention long enough for them to make some connection that evokes emotion, provokes thoughts, or recalls memories.