As a native Floridian, I have always been inspired by our seascapes, rivers, lakes, and backwoods. I have lived on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the state.
I am a realistic landscape studio artist working from sketches and photographs. My medium is oil, using a palette knife and brush. I edit a scene, cutting out the unimportant, leaving in the colorful and dramatic.
While living in Ft. Pierce as a teenager, I was a student of A.E. “Bean” Backus for five years. I sold many of my landscapes at the local art shows. Mr. Backus was the inspiration for the Florida Highwaymen. Alfred Hair and Harold Newton both studied with Backus.
Moving to Tallahassee in my mid-twenties, I was able to paint full time for three years. During that time, I moved to Ft. Pierce to study with Mr. Backus for four months. One of my paintings is owned by the former Governor of Florida, Reubin Askew.
I lived in San Francisco from 1976–1984, working full time and painting in my free time. In 1984, I moved back to Daytona Beach to be near family. During the next 40 years, I worked full time, married, helped raise a family, and was a caregiver for several family members.
All my paintings spanning 1952–1986 are owned by private collectors or family members.
Now retired and living in Gainesville, I have revived my long-dormant art passion—hoping to create more Florida landscapes that honor and preserve our great state.
