My Grandfather was an artist. I really don't remember much about him, he passed away when I was very young. I have been told that he was working on several paintings when he died, my grandmother gave me some of those years ago, her idea was that I could complete them. I hope to someday do just that.

I began painting a long time ago, when I was just a child. Mostly I found it a form of play, later my parents paid for me to take private lessons with a local artist when I was about 10 years old.

When I was in college, I took formal classes in acrylic painting. I also had an interest in photography, and decided to take photo classes also. My art professor was furious that I would waste my time with photography, and let me know in no uncertain terms.

That maybe why I quit painting for over 20 years. In 2008, I picked up a brush and started painting again. I was inspired to paint by the 50th Anniversary of the Torrance Armed Forces Day Celebration. I wanted to do something to honor the city for their unwavering support of our military services and used a photograph I had taken of the joint services color guard as the basis for the painting.

My body of work is simply a reflection of my personality. Some paintings embrace the sense of honor I feel after service in the US Army; some highlight the happiness I feel at home with my family. Others may show the conflict of dealing with difficult situations, some my enjoyment of travel to distant locations.