I paint from life! My art is based on direct observation and meditation through the interaction of space, light, and form. I paint the figure, still life, landscape, and abstract.

My influences I have studied with modern impressionists, modern figurative sculptors, and classical realists. I primarily studied with Auseklis Ozols, the director and founder of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts and master realist painter. Others include: Georgia O’Keefe, known for her unique style and depictions of simple objects, primarily the flower; Salvadore Dali, renowned for his surrealism and creativity; and Claudio Bravo, who can turn a simple object such as paper bag or string into a masterpiece – have all been inspirations throughout my career.

Education & Training I began my training at the University of New Orleans majoring in Fine Arts. There I mastered basic principles and art theories. Following UNO, I attended the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts where for five years, I studied all artistic disciplines including figure drawing, figure painting, portraiture, still life, landscape, design, sculpting, and abstract.

Galleries. I have shown at numerous galleries including the Garden District Gallery, The New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, NOMA, The New Orleans World Trade Center, as well as many other private venues. Private collections of my works are now housed across the US, and internationally in several countries including Norway, London, and Honduras.

MY INSPIRATION. People often ask me: Why paint oyster shells: Living in New Orleans, it began with the BP Oil Spill. More and more attention was given on the Gulf and the dangers our seafood industry was to face. I used oil from the actual spill and created my first oyster painting. Rooting through the shells, I noticed every shell is like a fingerprint – – totally unique. Each painting makes me think something new and every painting becomes its own.