How and when did you begin painting?
As a kid I spent a fair amount of time painting in water based media. It was professor Richard Monson at University of Central Missouri who first introduced me to oil paint. I loved that greasy feel, slow drying time and forgiving nature of oil. I remember spending all night in the art center to finish my first oil still life painting assignment.
What other forms of art have you been involved in during your career?
Sign painting, illustration, card design, and stone carving.
You have been active in Plein air for years. What drew you to Plein air?
Roughly 12 years ago I was invited to compete in the Augusta Missouri Plein Air event. I was a wonderful and humbling event at the same time. I was instantly hooked.
What are the advantages of working from life over photos?
The main difference is the subtle color shifts your eyes can perceive working from life versus a photo. That live experience is also far more inspiring. I believe the main benefit of inspiration is it provides the artist with the needed energy and focus to transfer his or her observations to the canvas. The viewer is like a forensic expert arriving at the murder scene analyzing the blood splatter patterns to perceive whether it was a cold calculated murder or a spontaneous act of passion. Without inspiration a work can result in a lifeless exhibition of technical skills.
You have achieved many awards and accolades including Best of Show, Master Class Award, Best Plein Air, Best Oil Plein Air Salon, Best Architecture, First Place Nocturnal, and People’s Choice Award. You’ve been an invited artist at Plein Air Easton, a very prestigious event. Your work has been published in American Art Collector, Southwest Art Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, and Plein Air Collector. What do you credit for this level of achievement in your work?
I would say, competing against, getting to know, and painting alongside people that have achieved far more awards and accolades than myself.
You participate in various outdoor art fairs and shows in Illinois and Wisconsin. How is this a successful format for you?
The fairs are a format that exhibit both my Plein air work as well as work produced in the studio in a more condensed amount of time. They also allow me to show various subject matter, other than landscape.
What is it like to help other artists reach their full potential by taking workshops with you?
It’s wonderful to interact with students. I honestly feel like we are all on this artistic journey together, learning and helping to inspire each other.
What do you want your students to learn?
First I would say strengthening those fundamental skills of value, color and design.
More importantly, I would ask them to continue taking risks and adopting points of view from other artists that they admire. At the end of the day, our personal style is just a combination of our own abilities and who we have learned from and been influenced by.
Artists must balance their professional life of work and travel with their personal life. What in your personal life is important to you?
Faith, family, friends, and chickens.
Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you?
I am in the process of slowly remodeling the large house next door for an Airbnb. Hopefully, next year I can host some workshops there in Ethel, Missouri.