About

Welcome! If you have come this far I assume that you have seen some of my artwork and you are now looking for more info. On this page I will give you the quick outline of my life history and a little of my theories of painting, but if you want more I would encourage you to go to the Writings section where I plan to give more details. I wince at the term “artist statement” because first, the painting is the statement, and second, there is so much more involved than a few ambiguous words. In the Writings I have divided the short essays into Personal (things that happened in my life that effect the art), Process (thoughts and actions that bring the painting into existence) and Art and Surrealism (theories about how and why these things work). I will add to these short essays as I can.

My quick life story:

Born in 1950. You can do the math.

Grade school in Cincinnati, high school in Chicago, one year at Northern Illinois University. My parents enrolled me at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Art on Saturdays before I started kindergarten, and I have always felt comfortable drawing and painting. Outside of middle and high school art classes, I have received no other art education. I am self-taught for the most part.

In my twenties I began trying to paint in the style of my heroes, who were, for the most part, surrealists, especially Dali, Ernst, and Tanguy, but I also admired Hopper, Wyeth, Bosch, Crumb, and many others. I wanted to be as original as possible, but study the foundational principles of what made them so attractive to me.

In my thirties and into my seventies I made a living and enjoyed a career in the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department from 1980 until retiring in 2005. I then worked another job as a Safety Specialist in construction for 12 years. From time to time another painting would “pop out”. I held on to all my work but I never tried to exhibit them. After retiring I have put more effort into painting and I am planning on adding a few more in order to have enough to show either alone or with other artists. Stay tuned.

I am so fortunate to have the love and support of family and friends, foremost is my beautiful wife Carolyn, who not only puts up with me with grace, she gives me the time and space to do the thing I love. My daughter Carson, who is my most trusted advisor and who is an outstanding talent, and who works as Art Director for Atlanta Magazine. And my son Collin, artist, musician, middle-school art teacher, and his wonderful family.

I also have a community of friends that have encouraged me to keep going, given advice, and have just been there for me.

I hope you return here from time to time. I work fairly slowly, but I will be compiling a mailing list to update my progress if you want to sign up.

I encourage you to express yourself in whatever form you are drawn to. And I appreciate your time here.

Photo by Brian Weber. Thanks, bro!