As a child I liked to draw, although it wasn’t until my sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, I decided to try a drawing class. I found the drawing class compelling, so I thought I would try a couple of other art classes. In my sculpture and painting class, I met some very influential artists who encouraged me to pursue a career in art. One was my advisor and sculpture professor, Tc Farley, the other was my painting professor, Li Hu. Tc taught me about the struggles and dedication that one needed to be an artist, while Li showed me the professional side of the art market and things I would have to explore if I wanted to paint for a living. In 2006, I graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Painting and Sculpture. I worked for several years after graduation, but still continued with my artwork, mainly doing portrait commissions. I also took workshops with artists that interested me to enhance my skills as a painter. Then, in 2009, I dedicated myself to painting full time. Finally, in 2011, I decided to pursue a Master in Fine Arts at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. The masters that inspire me are: Daniel Gerhartz, Jeremy Lipking, Antonio Mancini, John Singer Sargent, Burton Silverman, Richard Schmid, Mian Situ, and Morgan Weistling. Selected Exhibitions and Awards 2013 OPA Western Regional, South Wind Art Gallery, Topeka, KS 2013 Plein Air Group Show, Christian Daniels Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2013 Streets of San Francisco Group show, Christian Daniels Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2013 Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, Cowboy & Indians Magazine Award of Excellence, San Antonio, TX 2012 OPA Western Regional, Denver, CO 2012 Spring show, Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA 2012 Renditions Gallery, Small works, Walnut Creek, CA 2011 Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX 2010 Annual Members Exhibition, West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI 2010 The Glass Blower and The Painter, Cultural Center, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 2010 Richeson Life Drawing: Open Studio Exhibition, Jack Richeson School of Art and Gallery, First Place, Kimberly, WI 2010 Richeson 75 Portrait, juried show, Kimberly, WI 2010 Secura Fine Art Exhibition, juried show, two Honorable Mentions, Appleton, WI 2010 Richeson 75 Small Works, juried show, Best of Show, Kimberly, WI 2009 Richeson 75 Landscape, Seascapes, and Architecture, juried show, Best of Show, Kimberly, WI 2009 Artists for ARC, Art off Main gallery, Auction for funding for individuals with disabilities, Oshkosh, WI 2008 Alexander House Exhibition, Port Edwards, WI 2007 Colorama, juried show, Best of show, Wisconsin Rapids, WI Education University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Bachelors in Fine Arts with Emphasis in Painting and Sculpture Academy of Art University San Francisco pursuing Masters in Fine Arts in Painting Publications American Art Collector, July, 2013 Southwest Art, May, 2013 American Art Collector, April, 2013 American Artist Drawing Magazine, Spring 2012