artist's statement:
I like to create environments in my paintings that evoke reflection, expand view and lift viewers from their ordinary expectations.

about the artist
My favored medium at this time is oil paint, which is what you will see used in this work. I also use other classic techniques, such as the gouache methods used by Indian miniature painters and Limoges enameling. I depict conventional and unconventional figures and objects sourced from different arenas such as: The Monster and Sci-fi movies I used to watch on TV after school, comics and books I read as a kid (and still do!) Mythology, High gothic, Surreal, Tibetan and Mexican painters, travel to exotic places, dreams, meditation and the hallucinations brought on by illness, nightmares and chemical ingestion, the ragged and beautiful artifacts seen in museums. I find scientific studies of the past and present are loaded with images and ideas. My two years living in India and asia also add a taste of the exotic to my choices. I mix in humor and beauty with the horrible and mysterious, because that is my experience of life.

In 1973 I realized I could make art as a profession. I had made art for years before this (as a kid), but didn't understand it could be a "real job". I studied with several Photo Realist artists in the 70's, Including Gary Pruner and Mel Ramos. Now making art IS my real job and I love doing it!

My artwork has shared walls with many interesting artists including Alex Grey, Mark Ryden, Todd Shorr, Robt. Williams, Robert Arneson, Rob & Christian Clayton, Tim Biskup, Isabel Samaras , Rev. Howard Finster, Elisa Terranova , Tara McPherson and many others. My work is included in many collections, including the Crocker Art Museum, where I had a one person show ' Sport of the Mind '.