My love for painting is driven by creating something that will be enjoyed by others who may find a connection that draws them to the subject matter, and to have a viewer travel, in their mind, to the time and place that I have created. Most of my paintings are of actual places; others are from my imagination or recollection which creates a mythical and make believe place. If the viewer's eye wanders through the painting finding a sense of excitement or tranquility, happiness or sorrow, or a sense of wondering about the person or place, then I have achieved my objective. My goal is to have the viewer desire my work because it is interesting and appealing, and I was able to stir those emotions.
The subject matter for my work is varied as is my choice of mediums. I find American Indian history and culture fascinating and colorful. Historical photos provide me with subjects that are an important piece of our history. Learning about the life of a subject is part of my responsibility in creating an accurate portrayal of the subject. Being a Colorado native and living close to abundant sources of inspiration has always driven my desire to paint the landscapes and western life style of this beautiful State.
Most of my paintings originate with a detailed drawing while others might begin right on the canvas or paper. My choice of medium depends more on my mood than on the subject. I work primarily with traditional water color on paper, but I could choose to use canvas or board suitable for water colors as each method lends a finish unlike the others. When choosing acrylic the finish is most important when deciding whether I should use a heavy bodied paint on canvas or a more transparent look on paper. I find that the more transparent acrylics have such vibrancy it is hard to resist using them. Recently I have begun to experiment with mixed mediums, all water based including Gouache, to create that extra definition or highlight that makes the painting come alive.
Starting my career in art at the time of my retirement created a feeling of time lost. However I remind myself that many great artists never received recognition until late in their lives. So I continue to paint, and remembe that Hal Empie, a notable artist in Arizona once said to me, "If you love to paint, get going, you are never too old." Hal told me that when he was eighty years old and he continued to paint for several more years. I have more than enough time left.