MY STORY - the long and winding road

My father was in the Canadian military when I was growing up, so we moved around a lot. He was also stationed in Europe with NATO, which gave me the opportunity to live in Europe as a teenager for 6 years.

In the late 1970s, after graduating from university and studying marketing and business, I moved to Toronto and continued to study art while taking university courses at night. Growing up with constant travel probably made me a bit unconventional. Rather than pursuing a BFA or MFA, I pursued my own path, enrolling in Art History, Drawing, and Painting courses that spoke to me.

Museums, churches, castles, and parks played an important role in our travels. These encounters heightened my appreciation for beauty and instilled in me a strong desire to create art.

My parents made it a point to visit each European country on long car trips. Landscapes whizzing by from the back seat of a car filled my formative years.

These memories continue to influence my work today.

Windsor is located across the river from Detroit, Michigan at the Canada/US border, so it provided me with easier access to the United States as well as greater affordability.

After a successful career as a documentary film producer in Toronto, I felt ready to start painting full-time in 1991. I took the plunge and relocated to Windsor, Ontario, 300 miles south (pop. 400,000).

By 2005, I had acquired a small commercial building in receivership.

It was in rough shape but eventually one of the small 1800 square foot warehouses was converted into my dream painting studio.

And in 2020, my space was expanded to include 
The Studio Gallery.

Open to the public by appointment or by chance.

Professionally, my paintings have been collected and exhibited internationally in galleries and museums. I also have a lot of experience working with interior designers and art consultants, which is always a lot of fun. I enjoy seeing how the energy of a space becomes totally transformed by original art.

Site-specific commissions for a private jet lounge and an award-winning 127-foot yacht in the Virgin Islands are among the significant international projects.

One of my favourite projects was collaborating on a large scale painting representing the colour of music with Grammy nominated Maestro John Morris Russell of the Cincinnati Pops. The painting was auctioned off for $6000 to benefit the Youth Orchestra.

In 2010-2011, I was honoured with a solo museum exhibition titled FORCES OF NATURE at the Art Gallery of Windsor.

Because I live and work in Windsor, it was an incredible experience. Over 200 guests, friends, clients, and press attended the Opening Reception. Following the Director's and Curator's opening remarks and introductions, I was given the opportunity to speak about my work and express my gratitude to everyone involved.

In addition, over the course of my 30-year art career, I've received several art grants and awards, including grants from the Ontario Arts Council, the Windsor Endowment for the Arts, and the Elizabeth Havelock Foundation Award. Receiving a Letter of Recognition from Canadian Prime Minister Harper was also an honour.

Every day, I work in the studio, learning, growing, and progressing.

Thank you for following along and showing your support for my exciting adventure!