> My Story

Deciding to become an artist was not a decision I made over a long period of time or with much deliberation. It hit me like a bolt of lightning while on a lunch break from an unsatisfying job. I entered an art museum on a whim. As I rounded a corner in the European Gallery, I encountered 'Market Scene on a Quay' by Flemish artist, Franz Snyders. The immense painting, depicting recently killed wild game spilling haphazardly off a market table, left me awestruck. I had to sit down.

The next hour was spent staring at that magnificent work. I wondered why I was so emotionally affected. Why did I suddenly want to create such an arresting image?

The most perplexing aspect of this chance encounter was that I had never had an art class. I didn't know any artists and had no artist in my family. Nor had I ever visited a gallery or museum that I could remember.

A true epiphany had happened to an unlikely candidate. From that day forward, my desire and intention of being a professional artist never waned through several careers and many years.

A self-fashioned art education comprised of night classes at colleges and technical schools, weekly trips to public libraries, numerous seminars and lectures, classes and private lessons from professional artists fueled a passion that has lasted a lifetime.

I now work daily in my studio as a professional artist and consider myself living proof that pursuing your passion leads to fulfillment of your dreams.