Growing up in Rifle, Colorado, I’ve always appreciated the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. My love for painting started when I was young, taking my first lesson from a local art teacher. It was a watercolor of a lake and mountains near Rifle, and that experience confirmed my passion for art. Over the years, I’ve worked with oils, pastels, and pencils, but for the last 50 years, I’ve focused exclusively on acrylics. I’ve also explored other creative outlets, from wood projects and stained glass to macramé wall hangings in the '70s and diorama-style creations. Some of my macramé pieces are still on display at Avagadro’s Number in Fort Collins, over 40 years after I installed them.

Though I started with realistic painting, I’ve also experimented with abstract, impressionistic, and surreal styles before returning to the almost photographic realism I now love. Mostly self-taught, I’ve developed my own style, but I’ve also been influenced by many other artists. Watching them work has given me insight into their creative processes and allowed me to witness the techniques that have made them great.