I began the transition from a successful professional photography business of 25 years to painting 10 years ago. It has been an organic transition and one that's offered me a more intimate relationship with the natural landscape which has been my inspiration since I began photographing 35 years ago. 

My photography foundation has been a great asset in my painting process.  It has allowed me to appreciate and to create an image with a strong composition and to understand the importance light plays in the success of an image. The landscape has always been my main source of inspiration both in my photography and painting. For me painting has become an exploration of form, color, value and texture. When photographing I respond to the light and subject matter and then the composition becomes the main consideration. This is also true when beginning a painting but then the painting becomes about so much more. Decisions are constantly being made about mixing colors, representing values, brushstrokes, composition, drawing, perspective... My hope is that these decisions seem effortless, that they are made and executed in a way that the painting becomes a cohesive work that engages the viewer and communicates the beauty I see and appreciation I feel for our natural landscapes.

I have been fortunate to study with Diane Dahlke, Janet Manyan and Dietlind Vander Schaaf at The Maine College of Art's Continuing Studies program and Lynn Kraus who first taught me the fundamentals of painting. I have also taken workshops with Caleb Stone, Bjorn Runquist, Tollef Runquist,  Mark Boedges, Margaret Gerding, Timothy Horn, Jon Redmond Lori Putnam and Claudia Rilling. I have completed mentorships with Lori Putnam and Claudia Rilling..

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