Although I spent many years in sales, art has always been my passion – art with details that are only possible with a pencil – details that create work that looks photographic. These details help me create textures that I can feel and they help me capture the feelings and emotions of the subjects, whether the subject is human or animal.

Before the details begin, however, I lay out a composition that looks believable for the subject, taking into consideration size, shape, movement, light and color. Each piece must show motion and/or give the viewer an emotional connection. The inspiration for my work comes from photos that I use for reference; sometimes as many as 20 photos for a single work.

I have no preference as to graphite (black & white) or colored pencil. That decision may depend on the reference photos, the time period being depicted or my personal whim.

My work leans heavily to western subjects either present day or historical because even though I will never have the opportunity to be one, “My heroes have always been OLD cowboys.”

Since 2005, I have received 5 awards (first through third place) in the drawing category at the Phippen Western Art Show in Prescott, AZ. Before moving to Arizona in 1996, I lived in St. Louis for 25 years. I entered many juried competitions and won numerous awards for my paintings (my medium at the time). I am a juried member of the Sonoran Arts League and the International Guild of Realism. I am also a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and the American Plains Artists. My drawings have been juried into several American Plains Artists shows, the Mountain Oyster Club Art Show and the Bosque Art Classic. I have also participated in the Arizona Fine Art Expo since 2012. In addition, I am one of 3 rotating Artists in Residence at the Gallery at El Pedregal.