I love living in Southern Utah! We have desert, mountains and all four seasons is my description to people who ask. The diversity in what to paint each day can take several minutes to decide: red rocks, trees, big vistas, close up to mother nature, it is endless. And when my dog, Max, comes along, it makes an even better way to spend the day! Of course, he is in training regarding patience in painting in one spot for awhile!!

Artistic influences in my life are always present in my mind when I am painting. This includes Thomas Moran, John Singer Sargent and Edgar Payne. I have been blessed with several mentors in different times of my life that have helped me in my journey as an Artist. Some of the art workshops I have attended include Mark Ogle, J Brad Holt, Kathryn Stats and Lori Putnam. Their advice and lessons stay with me as a part of the learning process. I have won several awards in my career and most recently was the subject of an article in Outdoorpainter.com. I have been a part of the Braithwaite Invitational Art Show, Escalante Canyon Art Festival, Where in the World is Plein Air, and the Cedar Breaks Arts Afire Plein Air.

Living in Southern Utah provides a lifetime of subjects that are irresistible to my desire to paint! Trying to replicate nature in a painting is a challenge: Warm and cool, light and dark, soft versus hard edge, and many more. All of these elements are required to make a great painting and are a paradigm to me - one not existing without the other. Merging these elements together is my challenge. To make the results dynamic is my goal and to engage the viewer as a part of the process.