I am a painter living in High Springs, Florida. My primary subject is landscape. I enjoy observation and realism, creating paintings of times and places that are both beautiful and evocative. I’m interested in many kinds of places from rural roads and humble dwellings to wild and hidden corners of natural Florida.
My work can be found in public buildings and private collections regionally and nationally, including large scale habitat murals at the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida (Gainesville) where I was a staff artist and graphic designer for 20 years.
I currently teach Drawing, Painting and Design at Santa Fe College in Gainesville. I enjoy participating in local plein air events several times a year in addition to working in my studio on personal works of art and commissions.
IN BRIEF
- BA, Reed College, Portland, Oregon
- Studied at Tyler School of Art Rome
- MFA, University of Florida (Painting)
- Staff Artist, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, 1984-2004 (murals, illustration, graphic design)
- Instructor, Santa Fe College (Drawing, Painting, 2-D Design)
ARTIST BIO
I grew up in the Hudson Valley. My parents were both designers and I credit them for exposing me to as much art and design as they could. My first real painting was in sixth grade when I copied a Hudson River School painting of the Palisades that was similar to the view from our home in Dobbs Ferry. The luminous and romantic light of the Hudson River School painters is still an evident inspiration in my work.
Upon viewing Edward Hopper’s “Gas” I realized I could see luminosity and structure in my day-to-day environs. My artistic course was pretty much set in response to those two very American influences. My interest in American Realism continued at Reed College where I was captivated by an exhibit of William Eggleston color photographs set in the American South.
Spending a year in Rome and traveling in Italy deepened my understanding of large-scale, comprehensive works, which I’ve been able to draw on as I’ve completed numerous architecturally scaled projects. I was hired at the Florida Museum of Natural History in 1984 and went on to produce numerous habitat murals and background paintings. My experience there pulled me towards deeper observation of the natural world and I have continued doing murals since leaving the museum.
