For me, Art is something that I actually dream about and come up with ideas even sitting in a meeting at work. I started painting when I was a young boy because I was looking at my room with its bare walls and wanted to add some personality and color to my room and from there, just found that creating art and photography has become an extension of who I am and how I see the world.

Talk about your lifelong love of nature, faith, photography, and storytelling.

I think we all are creators in one aspect or another. Whether we are building bridges, inventing new technology, creating a painting, a photograph, writing or whatever we are drawn to in order to give our lives more joy and purpose. For me, I love being outdoors and experiencing the beauty of God's creation. My painting and Photography just became a way to capture the beauty in the world and make lasting memories to share with others and capture those moments on film or canvas.

What inspires your artwork?

When I see something or someone that is beautiful, capturing that place, person or event on film or canvas just helps preserve that memory and make it last forever to enjoy and never forget that moment in time. So when you see my art and photography, you are seeing the world through my eyes as I have experienced it. I get inspired by beautiful sunsets and sunrises, wildlife animals and birds, people I have met and places that I have visited that I wanted to visit again and again and bring home with me. Florida landscapes, western heritage, wildlife, biblical themes, travel, and the beauty of God's creation are things that inspire my artwork.

What message do you hope people take away from your art?

A feeling of Peace, faith, hope, wonder, and connection with nature that they want to be surrounded with and bring into their life and home.

Art Process Questions

How long does it take to create a painting?

I work full time as a Software Engineer so painting is something that I do at nights and on weekends so it can typically take a few days to weeks and even months, depending on how detailed and complex the painting is. Typically it can take me anywhere from a few days to a few months as my paintings are more detailed. So it takes focus and attention and time, along with working full time, taking care of a home and running a business.

Do you work from photographs?

Most of the time I do, yes. I look at photographs to study detail, color, lighting and as a frame of reference and then create a painting either on canvas with acrylic or oil paint or digitally, depending on the detail and end result I want to achieve. For instance, if I want to add texture, I will create a painting using oil and acrylics where I can add layers of paint to give a painting texture that users can touch and experience the work with their hands as well as their eyes.

Are your paintings and photographs original?

Yes, all of the paintings are original acrylic or oil paintings on canvas or digitally created using Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and 2D / 3D Tools. The photographs are original photographs that I have taken using 35MM photography on film, slides or digitally.

What role does photography play in your artwork?

I started taking photographs when I was just in Junior High school using a 110 film pocket camera to photograph rock concerts, music stars that I met and places I visited on vacation and found those images started making enough money for me to pay for my equipment, film and photograph the paintings and document the painting process. The photography soon turned into an art form itself, helping me create more fine art, capturing memories and allowing me to have more time to be creative. Instead of sitting at a canvas, I can create anywhere and at anytime so photography has helped with my story telling, creating stock photography and preserving memories.

Art Collector Questions

How do I choose the right artwork for my home?

When a painting or photograph speaks to you, you will know it. One of my Collectors once told me, "I don't know the style of painting, but I know what I like". Some collectors want a painting to bring out colors in a room or be a focal point of conversation, some want something that gives them an escape from the mundane such as a beautiful ocean scene or sunset. Some collectors want a specific color to add color and personality to their home. I have had collectors that collect specific subjects such as Angels or Beach scenery and some just love a specific color or some just see an image that reminds them of a childhood memory and it resonates and speaks to their heart.

Some collectors look at the value it brings to their home, some just love an image because it makes them happy. The bottom line is invest in your home and in yourself. I had a College Professor buy one of my paintings for her office. When I hung it on her wall, she just sat there and stared at it with a smile on her face. I looked at her and said "I will leave you two alone" and wished her a great day. It is moments like that memory that I enjoy as an Artist, knowing that I made someone's life happier.

Do you offer commissions?

I have done commission paintings in the past and enjoy doing them but with full time work and responsibilities, I do not have the time that I used to so do not do them as often as often as I used to. It just depends on how much time it will take.

Do you provide certificates of authenticity?

Yes for original acrylic and oil paintings, I do provide a certificate of authenticity. I can for photography as well.

Do you have allow visits to your studio to see your art in person?

Yes by appointment only. Contact me to make an appointment here in the Central Florida area. If you are coming here on vacation, it would be great to meet you in person and give you a tour of my art studio.