I always think the painting I am currently working on is my best work. I love being challenged by the old masters and the never-ending growth an art career provides. With each new painting, I strive to become more observant and to more vividly equate the image in my head with the one you see on canvas. I do not use any artificial electronic aids; my work is all drawn from hand from my own reference photography or painted “en plein air” (from site).

I have a tremendous respect for both architecture and city-planning as art, and thus do my best to preserve the structure integrity of each location subject. I also try to convey the character and culture of the people who inhabit the space in addition to unique atmospheric conditions.

Some of my favorite inspirational artists include:

-John Singer Sargent

-Jean Auguste Ingres

-Frida Khalo

-Henri Magritte

-Edvard Munch

-Edouard Manet

-Diego Velázquez

At this point in my art career, I feel like I am still in the foundation stage. I want to be able to paint with accuracy and command so that I can one day fold in expressionism/satire while maintaining a high degree of technical competence.

As for this year (2010), I will be painting more "L" track scenes and exploring the lesser visited Chicago neighborhoods, finding beauty in the industrial and ordinary and thus treating them with the same respect as major landmarks/parks. I'll also be incorporating more portraits/charcter studies.