I began painting at the age of 12 after my parents who recognized my talent bought me a set of oil paints and an easel. I was fascinated with perspective and would try to imagine how to draw what I saw and represent it on paper or canvas. On my first painting, my young brother decided to make his mark on my work and proceeded to embellish it with a coat of red paint all over the foreground! I didn’t let that stop me and painted over it allowing the red to give accents to my work that otherwise, may not have been there! The principal of my grade school was very impressed with this first work of art, and displayed it proudly in his office for many months.

Following my graduation from the Ontario College of Art and Design, I decided that I would like to begin my career as a professional artist. In the fall I would travel around touring Muskoka, Haliburton, Algonquin Park and Killarney, and paint scenes from the back of my 1958 Volkswagen Beetle. I have fond memories of travelling around staying in motels, enjoying the best part of the year painting the glory of the autumn season.  As well as painting from the back of a small car, I also enjoyed painting from the back of my motor boat on Lake Muskoka.  I would drive around the large lake, anchor and paint for hours.

What inspires your Artwork:

I paint scenery because I love nature. I am fascinated by Geological formations that have been carved through time – the shapes and colours of sedimentary and igneous rocks in Canada and the USA have given me the motivation to always seek new challenges. I like to be outdoors viewing and enjoying my surroundings, hence much of my painting is done on location in order to better capture the mood and colour of the subject. Florals and still life provide an additional challenge which I enjoy creating in my studio. Each and every scene presents a unique challenge.

List of Awards, Accomplishments:

• Scarborough Art Guild, Award of Merit – many times between 1981 and present
• Arts Scarborough, Scarborough Town Centre Merchants Assoc. Best Oil, 2000
• Scarborough Art Guild – 1981 Arthur Award for Oil Painting, Best in Show
• Scarborough Art Guild Honourable Mention 2008
• ECOAA Dora Purdon Award, Best Oil, Lindsay Gallery, 2002
• Huronia Festival, 1st prize, Oil
• Huronia Grape and Wine Festival 1980, 3rd prize, 1981 Oil, 1st prize
• Niagara on the Lake 1978 2nd prize, Honourable Mention Award 1979

Other Information to share:

I have shown my work in many places including the Art Guild of Scarborough, Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Carling O’Keefe Brewery, Kathleen Gormley Gallery, Bracebridge Centennial Center summer shows run by Scott’s of Muskoka, Aurora Art Gallery, Markham Kiwanis Festival, Tom Thompson Gallery, Gibson House, mall galleries, Toronto Dominion Centre, Columbus Centre, Burlington Cultural Centre, Algonquin Park Visitor’s Centre, and The O’Keefe Centre Toronto.

After using oil paint for years, I decided to switch mediums and I am now painting in watercolour which I enjoy very much. I have shows and an art gallery in my home in Toronto.