About Me

I operate a small, home-based art studio in St. Petersburg, FL where I provide a variety of art and writing services for authors, businesses and the general community. To learn more about my services, please click here.

My interest in art began as did so many artist’s: experiences with mediums during childhood (a great reason to keep art flourishing in schools, by the way). Exposure to a wide range of art supplies provided by my aunts during summer visits with Grandma in Detroit kicked off a lifetime passion for artistic endeavors.

My first drawing book, Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals, was followed by more Mr. Emberley’s works becoming a major influence in the childhood art basics of form, color and design as well as standard drawing skills. Click here to view the large collection of Emberley books available for children.

In elementary school, I began to do various drawings and artistic designs of houses, one day asking my mom what it was called when people drew houses and buildings.  Mom responded “architect” and I then knew what I wanted to do with my life.  In high school, I learned the basics of watercolor, painting my beloved home in Romeo, MI that I dearly missed after the family relocated to Florida (read some interesting news about Kid Rock who is from Romeo as well). During my days as a Fort Pierce Central Fighting Cobra I registered for every drafting and art class and began learning AutoCAD.  Combined with a class in BASIC programming, my future in art, design, drafting and computer skills had begun.

In college, I earned my first degree in Drafting Technologies and later minored in Studio Art while majoring in Environmental Studies with an interest in recycling and reduction of hazardous wastes.  This has driven me to incorporate less-dangerous art chemicals in my processes.  While my love of the darkroom was great, the birth of digital photography has welcomed a more controlled means of handling artist chemicals (this is to be addressed in separate blogs).

For my work with watercolors, I use a wide range of brands to include Windsor Newton Professional, Daniel Smith, Holbein, Da Vinci, M. Graham, Dr. Ph Martin’s and her favorite, QoR of the Golden brand. For printmaking, I am currently using Speedball Water Soluble inks.