“Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I’ve always called myself an illustrator. I’m not sure what the difference is. All I know is whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life.” -Norman Rockwell
When I was in high-school I enjoyed looking through books with paintings done by Norman Rockwell, admiring his talent and the time he spent in his life illustrating his greatest love, people. I always loved the pictures of peace and solitude; the paintings of an era in history when America was young and our country was not so fast paced; days when simple things were appreciated and memories told a story with a painting instead of words. Having lived most of my life with a disability that kept me from following the generations of my family who served in the military, I used my art talent to help foster a purpose in life as I expressed my heart and emotions onto paper and canvas. I have always enjoyed aviation art due to growing in the military and having the opportunity to watch as helicopters and planes flew over my house daily. I would watch and dream of doing the same thing some day; and although I was unable to pursue that desire, being able to illustrate and paint my dreams onto canvas, whether for individuals, businesses or the sheer pleasure of it, helped to fill that void and bring joy into my life. Having this purpose helped to provide fulfillment in exchange for my dreams of childhood. When I was asked to do six paintings for McDonalds, it let me share a small part of myself using pictures of families as the center focus. These were done with Grumbacher Acrylic paints and the Paasche airbrush.
An artist often expresses his pain, joy, solitude, and emotions onto canvas, paper, and even photographs. In the period of their life when circumstances change, often their theme does too.
When I was in high-school I enjoyed looking through books with paintings done by Norman Rockwell, admiring his talent and the time he spent in his life illustrating his greatest love, people. I always loved the pictures of peace and solitude; the paintings of an era in history when America was young and our country was not so fast paced; days when simple things were appreciated and memories told a story with a painting instead of words. Having lived most of my life with a disability that kept me from following the generations of my family who served in the military, I used my art talent to help foster a purpose in life as I expressed my heart and emotions onto paper and canvas. I have always enjoyed aviation art due to growing in the military and having the opportunity to watch as helicopters and planes flew over my house daily. I would watch and dream of doing the same thing some day; and although I was unable to pursue that desire, being able to illustrate and paint my dreams onto canvas, whether for individuals, businesses or the sheer pleasure of it, helped to fill that void and bring joy into my life. Having this purpose helped to provide fulfillment in exchange for my dreams of childhood. When I was asked to do six paintings for McDonalds, it let me share a small part of myself using pictures of families as the center focus. These were done with Grumbacher Acrylic paints and the Paasche airbrush.
An artist often expresses his pain, joy, solitude, and emotions onto canvas, paper, and even photographs. In the period of their life when circumstances change, often their theme does too.
My interest in aviation art began when I was sixteen years old. Growing up around aviation and in a family that served in the military for four generations, I couldn’t help but have a piece of me that could’t forget those years. This is one of many paintings that I illustrated because of a compassion for the love of flight which demonstrates an expression of solitude. We all change in different ways in life as we grow older, yet some of us as artists continue to maintain and cherish those same ideas and heartfelt desires from our childhood memories and unique ways that we expressed ourselves through our drawings, not wanting to lose that same love and interest as we get older. It’s a part of us that will always be there.
“Once I thought I was too young to be an artist, now I find that you are not a true and respected artist until you are six feet under.” –Vincent van Gogh
“Once I thought I was too young to be an artist, now I find that you are not a true and respected artist until you are six feet under.” –Vincent van Gogh
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CAREER OBJECTIVE
Freelance artist, mural, and sign painter, July 1985 - present
- Artist and Illustrator with 30 years of experience working directly with businesses owners and
- Headmaster of schools. Book illustration and advertisement for numerous companies.
- Excellent verbal communication skills with individuals and business owners.
- Customer Service & Relations
- Business and Personal Communications
- Experience as an art teacher at the Elementary and High School level
- Computer and fine art illustrator
Freelance artist, mural, and sign painter, July 1985 - present
- Working from picture to create wall size murals for homes and businesses
- Creating posters, book covers, and illustrations for businesses
- Experience working with customer communications personal and business
- Hand Lettering and logos for vehicles and signs
- Educating people about the directions to succeed with their talents
- Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX
- U.S. Air Force Washington, DC
- U.S. Army Reserve Washington, DC
- Worldwide, Inc. McLean, VA
- Tim Lee Ministries Garland, TX
- McDonalds Restaurant Bangor, ME
- Law Enforcement Television Network Carrolton, TX
- Very Special Arts Washington, DC
- Epilepsy Foundation Landover, MD
- American Dental Association Manchester, ME
- Personal and private request for art
- Studio Three Ellsworth, ME
- Computer art training
- Education for teaching every medium for art of all ages
- Walk-Way Vocational School Lockhaven, PA
- Speaker for education with individuals living with epilepsy and disabilities
- Using art to raise money for the study of epilepsy/seizure disorder and awareness