Art Awards
I was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on
November 25th, 1953. I grew up all across the United States, as my
father was the company Vice President and Project Manager as a licensed land surveyor in about half
of the states. He was one of the most qualified experts in his profession. His company contracted with major corporations such as AT&T, and
many pipeline and power line companies as well. Most projects were interstate in
nature, so our family relocated numerous times all across the United States. I
have lived in about 35 states and visited all but 4. I’ve been in Canada and
Mexico too. I had the unique experience of not only seeing this great nation
from coast to coast on a geographical adventure, but I've lived with different
people and got to know them and each communities’ morals, values, standards,
local history, and traditions on a social adventure, as well. I grew up with
Americans!
At an early age I began to draw. Even
before I was in kindergarten. My family recognized that I had talent so I always
received art supplies for my birthday and at Christmas from my parents and
grandparents. I was also kept well supplied throughout the year. As we traveled
across the nation my parents took me to see many art museums in the bigger
cities. I can remember looking at the paintings and it was like looking at them
with x-ray eyes or something. I could see how they did it. I used to tell my
parents, “I can do that”. When we moved to South Carolina, I was in the fifth
grade. My teacher also saw my talent. One day she thought she caught me not
paying attention. I was drawing my friend, Hamp Green. The students near my desk
were all watching me draw and that’s what made her come over to me. When she saw
what I was doing she was not angry with me. She was surprised and pleased. I
remember she asked me, "can you do that and still pay attention to the lesson?”
I said, “yes”. So she asked me if I could paint. I told her I had never tried
it, but I believe I can. So she assigned me to paint historic scenes in tempera
paint on the classrooms’ frosted glass windows, but only on the condition that I
could still pay attention to the lessons and get good grades. My classmates were
all more or less amazed and the teacher found herself telling them to pay
attention to the lesson, not me. Still, she allowed me to continue to paint, for
which I am so thankful. So my experience as a painter goes back about 43 years,
as I will be 55 in November 2008. During my high school years, I had completed
every art class that 3 different high schools had to offer, with straight "A's"
of course. I also studied art history and the many different styles and artists.
I have continued to paint and develop my skill and technique over the years. My
experience in our family’s journeys has had a great influence on the things I
choose to paint. I’ve seen so many wonderful things, like most of the National
Parks and recreation areas. When I see something and it “strikes me”, I paint
it. Above all things, I am truly grateful to God for
blessing me with this wonderful talent.