“The experience of drawing as a child taught me valuable lessons, which I apply to my teaching today. At age 5, while recovering from mumps, my father bought me an array of art materials to quiet the whining and keep me in bed. Time being on my side, I began carefully drawing everything around me paying particular attention to detail. I remember being both content, and pleased with my efforts. The interesting part was my dad’s reaction: he was so excited about my work, he proudly showed them off to our friends and family. Whether my work was good or not is irrelevant, the important thing was that my hero, my dad, believed my art was brilliant. This knowledge had a profound influence on both my life and my art. I still challenge my ability as an artist, and will return to painting realistically, but this is happening less frequently. My intention is to paint realism impressionistically saying it all with only a few strokes without sacrificing detail. The Impressionists taught that both light and shadow are colour shapes; light has always been relevant to my work and together with colour has become a way of experimenting and simplifying.

I believe that we are created in the image of God and given the privilege of sharing in His creative power by being equipped with a two-part brain& a God-given gift to experience the whole world in which we live. What we experience strikes a cord deep within us that arouses our creativity leaving impressions on the mind every impression needs an expression. Some write it down, others sing or make music and then there are those like myself.& who simply need to paint.....”