About the Artist

" I think an artist is a spectator who not only sees,but interprets."

--John Sloan in Gist of Art

 

I have always had a creative bent.  Visual art has been an integral part of my life since childhood—winning a blue ribbon in first grade for a tempera painting in a city-wide competition.  But life happens and careers take over time and resources.

 

Retirement in 2015 to pastoral Whidbey Island in northwest Washington state's Puget Sound restored the time and resources to pursue my art. Serendipitously, in 2017 I discovered Cary Jurriaans’ Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio (www.whidbeyislandfas.com ) and began serious study in an atelier-style mentorship.  Three years of diligence provided a strong foundation for my artistic efforts and in 2020 I was accepted at Schouten's Art Gallery in Langley, Washington. In 2022 we moved to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains northeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico where my art has been newly informed by the stunning landscape.  My work is a continual series of experiments, discoveries and corrections--a never-ending learning curve of observation and expression of that which is observed.   My goal as an artist is to see the singular beauty that surrounds us; to record my vision as best I can and share that vision. 

 

I have participated in workshops by nationally known artists Duane Keiser and Phil Starke and have taken classes with southwest artists Tom Blazier and J. Wade Griffin. 

 

All the work displayed on my website for sale is FRAMED unless otherwise noted.  Most of my frames are custom made by my partner,  Gerard Del Monte, a wood working artist ([email protected]) 

 

Organizations:

  ~New Mexico Art League

  ~Rio Grande Art Association

  ~Sandia Heights Artists (Vice President, 2025; President, 2026)

  ~Oil Painters of America, associate member

 

 

My work has been juried into the following exhibits and shows:

~New Mexico Cancer Center, Albuquerque, Gallery with a Cause," Artists on the Rise", summer 2022~~

  ~Rio Grande Art Association's "Encantada", 2023

~Albuquerque "Masterworks"   2024, miniature oils

  ~Art Mozaik Gallery, Santa Fe, "Elements" exhibit, spring 2024

   ~New Mexico Art League gallery, "Flora and Fauna" exhibit, June 2024 

  ~Art Mozaik Gallery, Santa Fe, "Desert Breeze" exhibit, summer 2024

  ~Art Mozaik Gallery, Santa Fe, "Senses" exhibit, fall 2024

   ~Rio Grande Art Association's "Encantada", 2024

  ~New Mexico Art League gallery, "Small Works" exhibit, December 2024

  ~Albuquerque "Masterworks" miniature oils 2025

  ~Rio Grande Art Association's "Encantada", 2025

  ~New Mexico Art League gallery, "Beauty and Decay" exhibit Feb 2026

   ~Albuquerque "Masterworks miniature oils, 2026

Awards:

  ~Albuquerque's "Masterworks" 2024, 2nd place, miniature oils

  ~Albuquerque's "Encantada" 2024, Award of Excellence, standard works

  ~Albuquerque's "Encantada" 2025, Artist Studio merit award, standard works

  ~Albuquerque's "Encantada" 2025, Blick merit award, small works

  ~Oil Painters of America, Finalist, 2026 Spring Online Showcase