For several years after my formal education I traveled and lived abroad.   I visited many places and wanted to capture the memory and the beauty of these places, but the photographs always left me disappointed.  This began my search to communicate what I saw in a better way.   
 
I found oil painting en plein air (that is, outside)  the world around me to be a much richer experience.  It takes more time and I have to really study it ---which a far cry from the instant click of a camera.  Born and raised in Virginia, one of my favorite local places to paint is at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. norfolkbotanicalgarden.org  It is beautiful in all seasons, which must be why I keep going back.  

The Chrysler Museum of Norfolk, Virginia  chrysler.org   instigated my early interest in art.   I am still a frequent visitor and have continued my art education  by copying some of their masterpieces. 

Chronological Progress to the Canvas

Eastern Mennonite University--BA Liberal Arts  92
Traveled and Lived Abroad 93-97
Old Dominion University --BA Art Education  02
Art Educator-01-07
Won award at first plein air paint out -November 07
Paint out and gallery show - Snow Hill, MD  08
Sherwood Gardens paint out- Baltimore, MD  08
American Horticultural Society River Farm paint out and gallery show- Alexandria, VA 08

Workshops with Professional Artists
Clayton J. Beck III, John DeLaVega, Camille Przwodek, Roger Dale Brown