I was born and raised on the very outskirts of Calgary, AB in 1949. My father was an avid hunter and fisherman, and encouraged my love of nature and the great outdoors - it was to become my inspiration years later.

My first taste of art and drawing was in junior high. I was sick at home one day, when my grade eight teacher nominated me for the school council. Although, I didn't get elected, I thoroughly enjoyed making the campaign posters. This taste of art was satisfied again in grade eleven, when I took an art class, looking for an easy five credits. One day, a fellow student walked in with an oil painting that she had created, and I fell in love with it. All I could think of was the possibly that I too could create something so extraordinary someday.

Money was tight, but I managed to save enough from working for my dad, to buy some oil paints. I remember staying up all night painting, and not realizing it was morning until I heard my mom getting up to make breakfast. Struggling, I found an art teacher who taught oil painting lessons from his home in the evenings - $75.00 for ten lessons. After completing high school, I quickly spent another $75.00 and headed for the Banff School of Fine Arts for a two week course, sleeping in my car to makes ends meet. That was the end of my formal art training. After that, I just practiced, practiced, practiced, and visited as many art galleries as I could, studying other artists' styles, and trying to determine what techniques they had used.

As the years progressed, I got married, and became the father to two wonderful children. With this came bills and I found myself looking for a career. I discovered the art of sign painting, and, after working for another sign company for eleven years, I ventured out and started up my own business.

Over the next twenty-five years, oil painting was put on the back burner. Now that my kids are grown and have lives of their own, I have decided that it is time to return to painting.

The excitement is still there after all these years. When I put the brush to the canvas, and achieve the effect I am looking for, the thrill is hard to explain. Usually, I use a photograph for a starting reference, and then, part way through, go off on my own and use my artistic license. Alberta's wilderness is my inspiration. My preference is for landscapes, and I often include animals and flowers in my pieces.