As a child, I collected rocks, shells, and animal bones on walks in the woods or at the beach. I still have a cigar box of treasures, along with the feeling of wonder for nature and wild places.
I earned a BFA in painting from the Tyler School of Art of Temple University, pursued a semester of graduate study in sculpture at Virginia Commonwealth University, and sharpened my observation and technical skills through 30 years of designing, sculpting, and painting natural science models and dioramas.
In 1996 I moved to North Carolina to design exhibits for the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Exploring natural areas with researchers and science educators, I developed a deep appreciation for the diverse native flora and fauna, and varied landscapes across the state.
From my studio just uphill from the Haw River, I still explore nature and wild areas that start in my backyard, and convey immersion in nature as journal observations, studio paintings, and sculptures.