I was raised in Anchorage, Alaska and have lived in the Southwest for the last 30 years. I began painting with oil pastels in 2006 when my son gave me a set for Christmas with a note which said “Draw me a picture Dad”. Once I picked them up, I never put them down. I began showing my work in juried art shows and exhibitions in 2012.

A First: In 2015 the Scottsdale Museum of the West acquired my painting “Lake Powell: The Ramp” which has been on exhibit since the museum opened. It was their very first acquisition.  The museum is a Smithsonian Institute Affiliate and has been named “the nation’s #1 Western Art Museum”.

 

A Second First: In 2018 I was selected by Savior-Faire/Sennelier to be their Official Oil Pastel Artist. I am the first and only person to hold that title. Sennelier is the maker of the world’s finest oil pastels. Savior-Faire is the exclusive North American distributor of Sennelier products. I still hold that title.

 

A Third First: In 2018 I was selected by the prestigious Scottsdale Artist’s School to be their first and only oil pastel instructor. I run 4-6 classes a year.

 

My “wife for life” Margie and our two dogs, Flash and Raider, live a peaceful and prosperous life.

 

God is very good to us.