An artist both records reality and sets down his own vision; by doing so he attempts to show a universal truth and not a momentary one. Great art tells its message powerfully. It can affect the viewer's thoughts and emotions, uplift and enlighten, awaken ideas and provoke new understanding. It reflects the beauty of Creation, and by doing so, shines forth a little of the glory of the Creater. Art can never do all of this perfectly. The artist is always searching, yearning, trying to capture a loveliness or an insight that is just out of reach; but it is this pursuit that interests and inspires the viewer.

I paint because I love the properties of paint. I love color and atmosphere, the way a canvas becomes a world into which the viewer is invited to step. I paint anything that appeals to me because of its beauty, whether beauty of form or beauty of idea. My inspiration comes from nature, both human and inanimate. In portraiture, I enjoy the challenge of capturing a likeness, not just of the physical appearance, but also of the personality. Landscapes, too, have a character, whether awesome, serene, or cozy. My current interest is in sacred art, a genre no longer used by most serious artists. One of my goals in exploring sacred subjects is to bring seemingly far away stories into vivid and dramatic focus, while always pointing to the One who speaks to us in those stories. I look to Baroque masters like Caravaggio and Rembrandt as examples and teachers in this genre.

I hope in both sacred subjects and secular that my efforts will glorify God, the first and best Artist, and that my love of His work will show through in my own.