Born and raised in Jacksonville, Illinois, I had an interest in painting for as long as I can remember. Some of my best memories are of my mother and I taking art classes at the local museum. After high school I joined the Navy for four years of active duty. I was stationed at Pearl Harbor and assigned to Hickam Air Force Base. The Air Force enlisted man center offered a weekly class on oil painting. Dr. Soo taught me painting for a couple of years until my tour of duty was completed.
The next few years I attended Western Illinois University then Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. At the university I was not interested in modern art so I followed a business degree. Upon graduating I got married and started working. It was at this point that life got in the way of following my interest in art. It was not until we moved to Sacramento and I became Mr. Mom that I was able to take art classes. Studying first at Cosumnes River College, I transferred to Sacramento City College then finished my art studies at California State University-Sacramento. While studying at CRC a plein air class was offered. We were exposed to painting out side and I loved it. Since being out of college I have been painting when I can. In the last couple of years I have been plein air painting 4 to 6 days a week.
