ARTIST STATEMENT

I paint from my heart, choosing subjects that I love.  This helps me be more passionate about my work, creating a final canvas that reflects my joy in painting.  My work has been influenced greatly by the Russian Impressionist style.  My media includes oils, sometimes with an acrylic start, but with as much color and expression as possible.  Although I favor portraits, I do enjoy painting still life and landscapes as well. 

I paint as a response to people, ideas and experiences in my life that inspire me.  I feel compelled to paint as a way to express emotions and to tell a story on canvas.  From my earliest years I was surrounded by art and artists and was encouraged to express myself through this medium. 

As a child my family was my community of artists.  Now I am a part of a vibrant local art community in which I fully participate.  Much of my life has been dedicated to helping young people discover art.  Over the last twenty years I have made multiple trips to Honduras teaching eager young students and sharing my passion for the visual arts.  Many of these students have become life-long friends and have played a large role in my “bank” of artistic courage, determination, and inspiration.