In younger years I dabbled in art. My classes that required art such as geography and history often suffered because I paid more attention to the artistic aspects than the reports. I was fortunate to be able to take summer art classes in my early teens. Then, at 15 I left school to take a logging job with my uncle in Deadwood, South Dakota in the beautiful Black Hills. Working outside for the six years I spent in that occupation was so rewarding to be able to observe nature in all seasons first hand.

At 21, I took a job at a sawmill in Bend Oregon. Ten years later I suffered an accident on the job which required surgery. My surgeon gave me advice that changed my world...he told me the physical demands of my job would continue to breakdown my body. That advice stuck...I enrolled in college, got my GED and took four years of every art class I could. Watercolor, ceramics, jewelry and art history. But one year of Basic Design made the biggest impact on me. And what a surprise...the art teacher at the high school that I took classes in the summer when I was 13 and 14 was now my adviser at the college 14 years later!

After I got my degree I moved to Seattle in 1985 and was fortunate to find a career in art framing which I enjoyed for 35 years. In the first two years or so, my artwork suffered as I felt I left all my art energy working with clients helping them with their design options. As I became more comfortable I was able to accomplish both, design my clients art, and create my own. I even owned two prominent gallery's in the Portland area. Now, I continue to create the artwork that floods my mind. Thank you for listening.