Born and raised in Christian County, Kentucky, I studied commercial and fine art at Austin Peay State University and Murray State University.

I paint to express and record my feelings about places (usually historic) that I have visited throughout my travels. I try to express a passion for beauty in my landscapes. The Hudson River School is a particular influence in my works. The rugged, gnarled tree is especially compelling in its form and shape. I love the intricate patterns formed by the bark on various species of trees. Different textures in landscapes are beautiful--an old bridge with weather-worn planks--huge cracked boulders with vegetation growing out of the cracks--weeds (or wildflowers growing in a ditch beside the road. I record, through painting, how it feels to view these things. The painting of flowers, reflections in water, trees in winter on a foggy, rainy day is an enjoyable challenge. I believe art is the emotional expression of the artist's soul, his or her life experiences taking form via the media of the artist's choice.

The primary medium employed is oils on canvas, but I also use alkyds, acrylics, and water colors. A great deal of thought and study goes into the development of each painting even before the canvas is stretched. I use a computer as a drawing and planning tool. Electronic imaging allows me to see quickly how a composition will look before it is committed to canvas. How I paint has to do with what I paint. I go from very smooth, thin paint to textures and layers of thick paint. The painting is begun by sketching on canvas with a pencil or very thin paint. Then the main areas are blocked in base colors. I apply paint in layers--usually dark shadow areas first and work out with lighter areas last, but I vary the order of things according to the look I am attempting to achieve. At first my objects are very rough; and as the painting progresses, I refine the detail. I start with large, course brushes and a paint knife and end up with very small liner brushes. Most of my paintings contain hundreds of tiny brush strokes.