As a full-time artist, working mostly in plein air, I appreciate the incredible beauty that surrounds us. I strive to reflect that beauty on canvas, utilizing light and color to create a scene that captures the eye and draws a person in to experience the atmosphere of the place.Growing up in Ohio, I began drawing at an early age. My first art teacher, Louis Penfield, was a great mentor who encouraged me to sketch and paint from life. We created artwork and also constructed a studio adjacent to his home, built by Frank Lloyd Wright. Whether painting still life compositions or collecting material for natural sculptures, I was developing an awareness of the elegance of everyday objects, people and places.During my time in the US Navy, I painted scenes of the ship in watercolor. Later, I relocated to the state of Washington and studied architectural engineering at Olympic College as well as art, and soon decided to focus on my artwork. Early influences were Deanne Lemley and Jane Wallace, both successful local artists.In 2006 I joined the daily painters movement after reading about Duane Keiser and Julian Merrow Smith. I was motivated to enhance the quality of my paintings and I was inspired by the dedicated artists I met online. My artwork vastly improved as a result of this exposure and practice. Painting full-time now, primarily in oils, I hope to continue to grow as an artist, both in technical skill and artistic interpretation. I currently paint and teach at Knowles Studio in Poulsbo, alongside printmaker and art instructor, Leigh Knowles Metteer.I have attended numerous courses and workshops by outstanding artists such as Darrell Anderson, Jim Lamb and Ned Mueller. My paintings are represented by Alki Arts Gallery in Seattle, Bluewater Gallery in Poulsbo and Tsuga Gallery in Bothell. I have sold hundreds of paintings from my website; my work is in both private and corporate collections worldwide.