About
I live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, with the most glorious views of the surrounding country side.
Art in one form or another has always been close at hand in my life. I am largely self taught and characterize my style as realistic. Drawing from the moment I could hold a pencil, my favorite subjects were horses, dogs and other animals, and plenty of them.
My love of art continued on throughout my school years, and I was able to experiment with a variety of mediums including sculpture, but always was drawn back to painting, colored pencils, pastels and oils in particular.
Once out of school, I was free to pursue a much dreamed of career as a horse trainer. I was able to continue to use my artistic talents by doing equine portraiture in oils. Working so closely with these magnificent animals, enabled me to develop an ease at capturing their expressions on canvas. It wasn't long before I was commissioned to paint several portraits of Olympic team horses at the United States Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone, N.J., which was also where I was working at the time.
Years later, I find myself working more exclusively in colored pencils and pastels, their rich pigments and tactile form being a good fit for the style in which my painting has evolved.
My work is noted for its realism, attention to detail and emotional impact. Though I characterize myself as mostly an equine or canine artist, I also enjoy painting wildlife as well. My ability to capture the unique qualities of each commissioned portrait has become a hallmark of my work, which has endeared my pieces to those who own them.
Always in search of ways to improve my artistic abilities, I have taken several week long workshops offered by The American Academy of Equine Art, studying with renowned sculptors Kathleen Friedenberg, Karen Kasper and oil painting artist, Barbara Oelke. I have also mentored with Bonny Snowdon, a master in the art of colored pencils.
My artistic goal is to capture the equine or canine image with vivid emotion and expressiveness. My love of animals is very evident in each piece I create. I can never imagine my life without animals or my art. It would be like not breathing.
Awards
2019 - People’s Choice Award, New Jersey Equine Artists Association Invitational Show
Best In Show, Artists in Middleburg Equine Art Show
2018 - Best In Show, New Jersey Equine Artists Association National Show
2016 - 2nd place, Equus IV Show, Morin Gallery, Orange VA
2006 - Cover of The American Connemara Association Magazine, Ballycor sculpture
2005 - Best in Show Bronze, Grass Valley Draft Horse Art Show, Grass Valley, CA
Best Sculpture, Grass Valley Draft Horse Art Show, Grass Valley, CA