I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.  But, I spent my high school years in Peoria, Illinois attending Limestone High School.  Limestone provided me with my first real taste of art intstruction. Thanks to what seemed to be opposing approaches of the tight and exacting Mr. Hagenbach and the loose and experimental, yet no less demanding, Robert A. Daugherty, I had a solid base to set my course as a fine artist.

Returning to St. Louis in 1979 I continued my art education at St. Louis Community College at Meramec  while raising a family. I also began creating commissioned portraits, original paintings, murals, scene and set design and constructions, and  taught art through the Jewish Community Center and afterschool programs at Spoede Elementary School.  In 1986 I began taking on private students. Several have gone on to be respected artists and continue to be friends.

I then spent two years at Washington University intensely studying drawing, painting, and figure structure. Professor Barry Schactman taught me what it is to “see”. I am indebted to his dedication as a teacher and his genuine approach to life. I graduated with a BFA and use every ounce of that education to this day.

I consider myself a draftsman first and then a painter. It is always my goal to marry the two together whether working a portrait, landscape, or an abstract piece. 

As a draftsman, painter, and sculptor I specialize in portraits of people, pets, homes, and cherished objects. I also create original works of art which I call “cerca trovas”.  Pronounced chair-ka-tro-vuh. It means seek and you shall find. I have no one medium. My repertoire consists of pastels, charcoal, colored pencils, pen and ink, watercolor, scratchboard, clay, stone, drywall, black paper, acrylic paint.

Aside from my studio work I also entertain at events creating silhouettes, quick draw portraits, henna tattoos, face painting and sidewalk chalk paintings. I continue to take private students, and conduct demonstrations and workshops.

I am a member of The St. Louis Artists Guild and The Gateway Pastel Artists.   I am also a Master Gardener through the Missouri Botanical Garden and a member of the Garden's Speakers Bureau. 

I’ve had work on display at The Artist Guild and recently was awarded an Honorable Mention in the April edition of the Pastel Journal. (see page 76) Much of my work hangs in clients homes.