About the artist

My artistic journey began as a child, when I was naturally attracted to drawing pictures and doodling during classes when I should have been paying attention to the lessons on offer. With the exception of one studio art class taken as part of my Education degree at the University of Alberta, I never received any formal training, but have always been keenly interested in art. Drawing mediums like graphite, pen and ink and coloured pencil have been some of my favourites to work with, and over the years I have developed a strong level of comfort working with these mediums. I even managed to work for a local newspaper as the editorial cartoonist for a number of years while pursuing my teaching career with Edmonton Public Schools. In the last few years of my teaching career, I had the opportunity to teach a few art classes, which rekindled my passion for drawing. It was during this time I decided to try and learn how to paint, and began to explore the use of watercolour and acrylic paint.

I have been using acrylic paints almost exclusively since beginning this new chapter in 2015. Since retiring from the teaching profession in 2019, I have dedicated my time to producing works in acrylic and watercolour. I joined the St. Albert Painter’s Guild in 2019 and have participated in the Spring and Autumn shows sponsored by the Guild, in addition to having work chosen for display at the Art Gallery of St. Albert.

I enjoy painting landscapes and cityscapes, but I enjoy painting portraits as well. Anyone looking at my work would be able to tell that I have been heavily influenced by the Group of Seven. I try to create landscapes that are brightly lit with sunshine, and use a bold colour palette to portray that Albertan “big sky” that seems to characterize the local scenery.

The use of heavy line in the work reveals my reliance on a strong graphic element in my approach. I enjoy painting scenery based on walks taken with my wife, and especially of local Alberta based landscapes, as there is great beauty to be found in plain sight if one is willing to take the time to see it. Hopefully my work reflects that connection to the place we call home.