"To affect the quality of the days, that is the highest of the arts". -- David Thoreau

 

Like many people, I began as a child, playing with pictures using coloring books.

 

I remember a Crayola crayon drawing (now lost), that I did when I was about 4 or 5, of my Mom and Dad kissing. It was probably the first original piece of artwork that I ever saw displayed, hanging on a wall.

 

In my 1st grade of elementary school, I drew a picture of Ringo Starr playing the drums. This picture was selected to be shown in the window of the 4th grade class as part of the student art exhibit. I considered this a great honor.

 

In college, I was exposed to, and awestruck by, the work of Salvador Dali that I had seen in the window displays of a poster shop.

 

Around 1987, I discovered a book on Marcel Duchamp. I was intrigued by Marcel's notion of "art" as simply the execution of an idea.

 

In 1995, I began drawing again, and took a course at Mendocino College taught by Wayne Knight. It was then that I began to consider drawing to be "painting," with the pencil or quill serving as a fine tipped "brush."

 

Later, I enrolled in a Life Drawing class under the tutelage of Paula Gray. Paula's instruction and encouragement set me on a path. I have been drawing consistently ever since…

 

"Drawing is the essence of Art" -- Ingre