Painting is my meditation—I become so immersed in the process that I lose track of time, until my cat, Simon, meanders in with a gentle meow, offering a welcome interruption.

Since childhood, art has always been my first love and favorite subject in school. Inspired by nature and travel, I often hike or walk along the beach with no plan to paint, only to be captivated by a scene I later capture in a photo and bring to my studio. My process is a dance between memory, sketches, and the landscapes I’ve experienced, aiming not just to depict a place but to distill its essence—the poetry of the scene. That poetry is often my own emotion, which I hope to share and connect with others. I paint in oils and love the depth and richness they create.

Santa Barbara was my playground, but my dreams carried me beyond the horizon. With nothing but a suitcase and ambition, I set off for the East Coast. Amidst the clatter of typewriters and the monotony of office work, I had a revelation—my hands were meant for paint, not paperwork. I left the desk behind, trading keystrokes for brushstrokes, and found my true calling at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts, where I earned my BFA in the vibrant energy of the 1980s.

By the early ’90s, the Pacific called me home. Back in Santa Barbara, I lived a double life—corporate professional by day, devoted painter by night. Eventually, I left the corporate world behind to pursue painting full-time. Now, in my Ventura home and studio, I dedicate myself fully to my craft, though the outdoors still beckon me and my easel from time to time.

Over the years, my landscapes have traveled far beyond me, finding homes around the world and gracing hospital walls, including Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where I hope they bring peace and solace. My greatest wish? To leave behind a body of work that stirs something deep—wonder, nostalgia, and perhaps a quiet longing for the open road ahead.