Like many artists, I received my first set of oil paints from a relative – an Aunt and Uncle –   in my early  youth.  The first artworks I ever created were mimicking various cartoon drawings.  My attention  was then focused on military aircraft as I grew older, often creating a painting on paper using model  paint which I had readily accessible.  It wasn’t until my high school years that I spent a lot of time reading about, and sketching wildlife from the many books in the library.  Whenever I had  spare time between classes I would hit the picture books, sketching what I saw, sometimes for hours.  Alright, truth is, I would even spend hours during classes sketching away!  Sometimes I wonder how I made it through mathematics!

After high school in Ontario Canada, my calling was to come back to British Columbia where I was born and had  spent my early childhood years.  The mountains and scenery were too intriguing to resist.  As is the case with most teenagers though, my focus was on finding a job.  So after going from one little job to the next, and getting married in the years in between, I attended college in Alberta to study Natural Resources Technology.  Needless to say, with minimal extra dollars and a hectic time schedule, it was difficult to apply myself to artwork.  However, after two years of not picking up a brush, and in my final year of college, I managed to paint two large pieces of work that began the ball rolling once again.

The following summer of 2001, working as a biologist, I moved to the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia – the place of my childhood where I had spent most of my days outdoors and adventuring.  With my new job I was afforded the opportunity to see many parts of the countryside in which I may never have had the opportunity otherwise.  With camera in hand, I collected many reference photos for which I now apply to many of my works. 

My work to date involves mostly wildlife subject matter of North America – both birds and mammals.  I also paint old structures such as barns and cabins.  I have always followed the progress of the wildlife art masters, and often strive to accomplish the effects of emotion and awe in which they make the viewer feel.  I am also however, always on the lookout for a new idea, often checking artist publication magazines to see what is out there so that I can do something totally different.  I am often reluctant to paint subject matter that in my mind has been over done. 

The ladder of importance I like to set for each piece of work I create is proportion, composition  and direction.  The approach I like to think of though is one of a movie director.  I want that unique shot – that unique angle that will set the stage for the performance my audience would like.  Unlike a motion picture director however, I have only one shot or camera angle to invite the viewer in, so I choose my angle to the best effect I’d like to create.  Thus, my artwork will take me in many directions in which I hope people will want to come along for the view!