I think a lot about the world and the situation we find ourselves in. I probably think too much. There’s really not much we can do about it individually except live a good life to the best of our ability. That’s where creation comes in for me. Painting is a meditation that connects me to the universe. It clears my mind and allows me to just be, be still and watch the creativity flow. Of course, it is an expression of myself. 

I started painting when I was eleven years old. A few months prior I discovered I could draw and I mean really draw. I could put on paper with a pencil what I was seeing. What an amazing discovery! Magic! My parents being the wonderful human beings that they were decided I needed to explore this newfound talent with a wonderful artist and teacher, Ruth Mogford. My mother told Ruth about the drawing skills I had just discovered and Ruth told her to that she would see what I could do, give her about six weeks. If I had proven to her that I could draw she would introduce me to oils. I went to my first lesson with Ruth, she gave me several objects to draw, not a problem for me so she moved me on to animals, again not a problem. After my first lesson, Ruth wanted me to start oil painting. WOW! I was so excited and could not wait to start. I got to go to Ruth’s once a week for two hours what incredible joy, pure joy that I had not experienced before. I loved everything about it, the paints, the way the brush felt on canvas, the colors oh the colors, and the smell it was nirvana. I was lucky enough to study with Ruth until I was eighteen and then off to the University of Texas. I still feel that same joy when I paint and it doesn’t get better than that!

 My first oil painting, age 11.