I strongly agree with Monet, who said, “I would like to paint the way a bird sings.” I want to bring joy into the lives of others with my paintings, and my favorite subjects are bright flowers. In gardens, buckets, wedding bouquets, and held in my hands, flowers have a wild abandon of color and texture that endlessly fascinate me.

Landscape is really the world around us. I want to communicate how the view evokes emotion. What is it about a place that captures my imagination and attention, and when is it most beautiful to me? I want to share that with others.

Painting outside is great for artists. It helps us see the true colors, light and “feel” the surrounding. It is a special challenge because light, weather, and views change constantly. I need to paint quickly to capture whatever excites me about the scene. It is quite an adventure! I have many funny stories about dealing with bugs, rain, wind, sprinklers, animals, snow, heat, noise, and “helpers”! In New Zealand I used trees and bushes for easels and was able to paint with the bare minimum of supplies; while visiting with sheep.

The classic elements of a still life have enthralled artists and viewers since time began; transforming everyday objects around us into their most beautiful versions. It is always fun for me to figure out which way to view the still life objects I want to capture; from the side? top? In a glass? A mirror? Which way does the light hit it? Always so many decisions…

I love water! Swimming in it, gliding on top of it on my water-bike, listening to it, and watching it’s ever-changing reflections, sparkles and crashing waves. The challenge of trying to capture water in oil always excites and humbles me.

To me an abstract takes a scene and transforms it into pure emotion. Captured through color, light and pattern. I find the ever-changing mysteries in an abstract keep it fascinating.

Adding a figure to a painting brings instant human connection. I like to keep my figures loose; capturing a gesture, moment or mood. Lighting up the imagination.