In the studio with artist, photographer and instructor Robert Louis Caldwell

Africa Journal/Sketchbook entry;  7/25/2012 "Once again I have found another instance of serendipity while planning for my Africa trip -- A trip that almost didn't happen...” While planning and preparing for my Africa trip I have had several incidents of serendipity which led me today to looking up the word and also its origin. Serendipity means: An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident; good fortune;  luck.”  There have been many incidents that have happened that led me to believe that I would not be going, in fact for about 3 weeks I had officially made the decision that I wasn't going. Thankfully I have had several moments of serendipity that have turned everything around. Serendipity simply means “happy accident” and was first noted by Horace Walpole (1717-1797) who said he formed the word from the Persian Fairy tale “ The Three Princes of Serendip ” The Princes of Serendip is the English version of an Italian version by Michele Tramezzi...

My summer studio newsletter is out, please click on the link below to view the newsletter! What, where and when... Summer 2012

Africa 2012 Journal/Sketchbook Entry: 7/11/2012 "Today I received my passport! This is basically my green light to offically move forward with all plans. Booking the flight and paying for the Safari. What a major weight off of my shoulders." Well it has officially begun, Africa 2012 ! With today's mail came a highly enticapted delivery... My passport! This was the missing piece of the puzzle that I have been scrambling to fit into place. This posting also marks what will be the first of many that will document my journey to Africa. There is a lot more than just buying tickets and jumping on a plane. Proper planning and prep work will go far on a research trip like this. Although it may seem like this is an exotic vacation, it is not. The several months leading up to my departure will be filled with intense studying of the wildlife that I am likely to encounter. Things like animal behavior, their markings for proper identification, when and were to observe the...

Work in progress... This one has been off and on the easel since I got back from Tulsa, Oklahoma but it has finally reached its adolescent awkward stage. The first layer of color is blocked in and I can now see what I need to change on the next layer of color. I am playing a very careful game with this one and trying to balance the drastic textural differences between the metal and the Carolina Wren.

Work in progress... I have been scratching away at this one off and on over the last few weeks and the under drawing is almost done.    

I am happy to announce that I along with two of my paintings will be in Ocean City, Maryland this coming weekend for the 42nd Ward World Championship Art Festival . The Society of Animal Artists will be representing several artist at this art show and as a member of the society I will have my work included and also be at the show representing the Society of Animal Artists . I hope that you can make it out to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD this weekend! See you at the show! "Breakaway (Mallard duckling)" Oil on board 16 x 20 SAA Exhibit at the Ward World Art Festival This weekend! 4/27 - 4/29   Ward World Championship Art Festival Roland E. Powell Convention Center Ocean City, MD Wildlife artists from across the country are joining the prestigious Ward World Championship and Art Festival to kick off the season in Ocean City, MD. The Society of Animal Artists offers a Member Sh...

Some very fun news! A while back I was contacted by North Light Books asking me if I would be interested in sharing my private sketches from my sketch book and of course I said yes. The book “Sketchbook Confidential 2: Enter the secret worlds of 41 master artists” is being published this month and I am very honored to have my work included. Sketchbook Confidential 2: Enter the secret worlds of 41 master artists  The book is available now as a pre-order on northlightbook.com This is the second time that North Light Books has included me and my work in one of their books. It is extremely rewarding for me and a testament that when you can’t figure out how to get something done, you go and do some research! As some of you may know I had a very hard time in college learning how to paint, I could draw but for the life of me could not figure out how to paint. When I got frustrated with the professors I would get in my car and head straight for the booksto...