ARTIST’S STATEMENT
An artist speaks from personal experiences, knowledge, and beliefs and rarely gets to "see" the finished piece. The work is completed by the viewer's own intelligence and emotion.


THANK YOU for visiting my site and taking the time to know me. I have tried to include everything you might want to know (and probably more). Please feel free to contact me on the site’s contact page. Come back often to check out updates.

A native Texan, I hold an associate's degree in fine art. In the early-1990s I started selling in galleries while working in the “corporate” world. I have happily painted full-time since 1999. Initially a Sunday/hobby painter, the activity grabbed my heart and I was hooked. Working hard to learn sound principles of making art, I polished drawing skills, learned the intricacy and complexity of color, and was amazed at the importance of shapes, edges, and composition. The hard work is a small price to pay. The love of it urges me to a lifelong pursuit. Next to my faith, family and friends, this is the most important thing in my life. Three of the reasons I paint include:

1. An enhanced way of seeing.
2. The awe-inspiring quantity to learn—about art and artists—more than one lifetime can hold.
3. The camaraderie and encouragement of other artists. In fact, I credit amazing instructors and exploring the world of painting with good friends as my primary inspiration.

Finding subject matter wherever I happen to be, I want to paint from life. This can be standing in a field of wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country, near a rushing river in Colorado or New Mexico, on the streets of a far-off village, in a charming interior, or contemplating a still life set up in the studio or backyard. I prefer to paint directly (alla prima). Using a variety of textures and edges, I seek to convey the spirit of my subject. Painterly realism may be the best "term" to describe my work.

As a member of Alla Prima International (API), I am privileged to serve on the board. Check out the API website www.allaprimaint-api.com Traveling and exhibiting with the members is a great delight. I am a signature member of the Outdoor Painters Society, a member Oil Painters of America, and the Houston Civic Arts Association.

INSTRUCTORS—Workshops have been a great source of knowledge and inspiration. Here are a few instructors who have influenced me the most: Scott Burdick, Ann Templeton, Gay Faulkenberry, Quang Ho, Ray Vinella, Ted Goerschner, Marlin Linville

BOOKS are also instructive and inspirational. Richard Schmid, Kevin Macpherson, and Dan McCaw have great, recent books. The legacies of Chase, Sargent, Sorolla, Bongart, and scores of others live and inspire through images and the written word.

EXHIBITS:
Group shows with Alla Prima International include the following: New Visions Gallery, Marshfield, WI; Ellen Noël Art Museum of the Permian Basin, Odessa TX; Quinlan Art Center, Gainesville GA; Bennington Center for the Arts, VT; Shriver Gallery, Taos NM
Others include but are not limited to the following:
Two-person exhibit at O’Kane Gallery, University of Houston, TX
Two-person exhibit and group shows at Texas Trails Gallery, San Antonio TX
Solo show at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Houston TX
Two-person exhibit at the Cloister Gallery, Houston TX
Group & two-person shows, Brazier Fine Art, Richmond VA
Group shows with Outdoor Painters Society

HONORS/AWARDS
Collectors include institutions, corporations, and individuals throughout the United States and France. A few awards and honors are listed here:
Best of Show in an open juried show with Ray Vinella as juror.
Honorable Mention in an open juried show with Charles Sovek as juror.
Purchase award from Galveston Art League open juried show. "Bolivar Building" is in the collection of Rosenburg Library, Galveston TX.
Artist in Residence—LaGrande Vigne, Dinan, France with painting Grazing Sheep in permanent collection.
International Artist Magazine, Aug/Sept 2003 issue, Island Shadows featured in article-- Master Painters of the World, United States; 2004 published in How Did You Paint That/100 Ways to Paint Favorite Subjects by International Artist Magazine; 2006 finalist in Oct/Nov issue Still Life & Floral competition
2004 Salon International (SI) —Two pieces selected, Provence Flowers & St. Remy Café (featured in Southwest Art, Texas Best of the West, May 2004); 2006 SI St Remy Corner exhibited.
2005—Feb issue Artist’s Magazine--Featured in article Everything in its Place.
2006—Artists’ Choice Award for Gazebo painted during quick draw, OPS Plein Air Texas 2006.
2006—Oct/Nov issue International Artist Magazine—Finalist, Still Life and Floral competition.
2009—Artists in Plein View invited artist—Second place for Ashley in Quick Draw event at benefit paint-out for Camp Fire USA at Fort Worth, TX Botanic Garden.
2010--Featured in Southwest Art Magazine, April edition

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CONTACT ME: 281-455-4378