My earliest recollection of creating art was my introduction to finger painting in first grade. I was painting a scene that was familiar and very special to me. My father and grandfather harvesting silage corn on our family’s dairy farm. It was bold, had lots of green and gold colors and made me feel like I accomplished something noteworthy. Unfortunately the painting wasn’t a ‘keeper’ and I tossed it years later. But I was in good company as I learned later that Andrew Wyeth used a ‘burn barrel’ regularly.

My ‘fine art’ journey took a back seat shortly after I entered high school when I needed to determine a career path. I was fortunate to be introduced to a commercial artist who actually earned a living being creative. I was all in! From 1973 to 1977 I attended Paier School of Art in New Haven, CT where I majored in graphic design and advertising. During this time, with the school’s founders still actively involved, Paier provided acclaimed training. It began with providing every student a solid foundation in the basics: drawing, composition, color theory, painting, photography and art history were all required courses. It was during this time that I was introduced to watercolor painting. I enjoyed the medium and had no doubts it would be part of my creative journey.

For the next 30 years I enjoyed my career in advertising and graphic design, simultaneously dabbling here and there with watercolors. In 2016, while running my own freelance graphic design business, I seriously committed myself to becoming a watercolor painter. Now that I’m retired, I have more time to explore and discover all watercoloring has to offer. I love the medium and am constantly learning something new. It can be very challenging—but also extremely rewarding. When my perfect combination of water, pigment, and brushstroke hit the paper, magic happens. Creating watercolor paintings that are technically appealing, touch an emotion and tell a story is my focus, and I’m enjoying the journey.