Where are you from?

I have lived in the Midwest, in Hawaii, near the east coast, and in the south. My travels have taken me through, the south, southwest, northwest, the belly of the states, and New England. And yes, even Canada. However, I grew up in Three Rivers, Michigan amongst fields of cattle, corn and clover, running the hills and forests with the birds and the deer. Whether on foot or on horseback, picking flowers, apples, berries, lilacs, and reaching high into the mulberry trees. Nature chasing and exploring as often as cloud watching in the grass. It’s all what brings joy today.

What art training have you had?

My training is by life experience-self taught as they’d say. There have been a few helpful encouragers along the way including a High School art teacher, and my precious Grandmother, Evelyn. My grandmother and I would wander through miles of farms and gardens collecting plants and taking in the floral aromas. Then back to her house to play in the paint. She didn’t even know she was an artist until after she took an art class at 50 years of age. She is the most inspirational human artist I know. However, the most inspiration I receive is from the Creator Himself. He inspires me with His Holy Word, and all His Creation. He inspires me, and teaches me daily. But that is to be expected, after all He is the Master Artist.

Where is home now?

One hears often the phrase, “home is where the heart is,” and it’s true. My home is where my family is, and where we are exploring beauty together and making memories for ourselves and to share with others. And although this is not my home, I am passing through to the Promised Land, there is a place where I, with my family, lay earthly roots and that is in beautiful Northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, United States. Just out my back door are the lakes, fields, rivers, and open skies that fill my heart with inspiration just as when I was just a child.

So, do you teach classes?

I have taught classes to children and to adults in both genres of crafts and painting, along with creative writing. Teaching classes on technique and inspiration will continue to be available, both private, and online classes in the future. Please contact me for more information.

You make beautiful art, but how long have you been at this?

The first thing I recall is riding horses and then drawing the horses and wildlife. My sketches probably nearly as big as me. I loved it, and so did my classmates in elementary school as they would actually use their bubblegum and candy money (probably really suppose to be their lunch monies as I think on it now) to buy my little sketches of animals. And if I was stuck in class, I would doodle and letter while I waited.

And taking pictures has been something I have enjoyed ever since I owned my first camera. Most of my published photographs have been in support of my writing subjects. However, when I am not sketching I am taking loads of photos for sharing and for references for my future paintings.

Have you ever been published, or in any events?

As an artist I have been published in several publications over the years since a teenager, in world wide publications and local. Colored Pencil, pen and ink and also in graphite, better known as pencil have been published.

As a writer, and also a photographer, publications have been in journals and magazines, even as a guest editor. Photography has been support work to accompany some of the publications. After my big accident I wrote over 40 poems. A couple of these have been published also.

What’s up with the Sketchbook?

I know using a journal or a sketchbook is not considered the normal for many fine artists. However, I find that using a sketchbook, along with other plein aire (painting on the spot in nature) painting, really helps me explore place, capture the moment and the place, along with exploring technique. I share these fun and beautiful moments with you because they are part of my process, and beautiful memory that I hope you also find it inspiring like me.