I spent my childhood growing up in a small farming town on the eastern plains of Colorado. I spent my time doodling in my sketchbook as an antidote to overcome the boredom factor that was present in the small town of 500 people. I became the first person to ever graduate from my high school to pursue a career in art. I went on to study fine art for a couple of years at Western State College (WSC) in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. There I explored many different mediums such as wood etching, watercolor, batik and fabric dyes, color theory, sculpture, airbrush, pen and ink, charcoal sketching, calligraphy, photography and also stained glass. I became fascinated with the airbrush for a couple of years and won 3rd place for a design on a motorcycle at a bike show.

I then went on to study the commercial side of art and received a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design from The Art Institute of Colorado (AIC). I became involved with the American Institute of Graphic Arts student chapter at AIC where I held both Vice President and President positions for several terms. After graduating, I was awarded a Student Spotlight spot on the ‘Wall of Fame’ in the halls of AIC for my achievements. I was also honored as an Outstanding Student Leader Ambassador. As a professional designer after graduation, I was given the opportunity to digitally cover two walls at the Longmont United Hospital to showcase the hospitals history and timeline.

Out of all the artistic mediums that I’ve experimented with, I enjoy painting with oils and acrylics the most. I’ve not only explored my techniques on canvas but have also enjoyed painting murals on walls and ceilings wherever I get the chance. After covering a couple of my dorm room walls in college at WSC, I was asked to paint a scene in the hallway of Mears Hall. And shortly after that, the dining hall on campus asked me to paint a mural for them. All of this followed with the walls of several family members and also a spot in a healing center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Through my work, I find inspiration in many forms. Sometimes those forms come from the joy and attraction of many of life’s gifts and other times it comes in the form of life’s uneasiness. Many of my paintings were born from an abstract idea or philosophy and turned into an image that gives people a way to understand the meaning behind it.

I believe that energy is present in everything within us and around us. The majority of my studies focus on this invisible energy that connects all of us. There is so much more to life than just what our eyes can perceive, and many times, we as a species will not acknowledge that which we do not see or understand.

As an artist, I am challenged to take this energy and present it not only in a way that is aesthetically pleasing but also in a way that the viewer can relate to and connect with. A lot of what I create resonates with the cultures of Eastern philosophies and it brings me satisfaction to be able to expand awareness and consciousness to those that are open to experiencing something different and sometimes uncomfortable.