MY STORY - the creative journey to full-time art career

My creative journey to becoming a full time professional visual artist has been a long and winding road. It’s not been the typical route to take.

My Creative Journey Began in Europe

My biggest influence came from my early years growing up in a family that moved every year. This gave me the ability to adapt to change. It also gave me a unique perspective on people and the world.

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.

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.

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.

Studying Art My Own Unique Way

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.

The Big Move to a Full-Time Career

After a successful career as a documentary film producer in Toronto, I felt ready continue my creative journey to start painting full-time in 1991. I took the plunge and relocated to Windsor, Ontario, 300 miles south (pop. 450,000).

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.

My Creative Journey Manifests in My Dream Studio

In 2005, after 14 years of working in my basement studio, I was able to buy a small commercial building that was in receivership.

The building was in very rough shape. After about six months of hard work, one of the two small warehouses became my dream art studio.

With 1800 square feet of space, it gives me lots of room to spread out and paint oversize canvases as well as smaller pieces.

The Big Next Step

In 2020, during the pandemic, the 500 square foot storage area in my warehouse studio was expanded to include The Studio Gallery.

This small gallery offers local visitors to come for a visit. It’s a unique opportunity to shop for original artwork in a beautiful intimate gallery setting.

At the same time visitors can get a behind the scenes peek into my painting studio and see where and how the magic happens.
Open to the public by appointment or by chance.

Professional Experience of my Creative Journey

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.

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

It was an incredible experience. with over 200 guests, friends, clients, and press attending 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.

A Few Memorable Projects

Among the significant international projects I’ve been honored to work on, include site-specific commissions for a private jet lounge and an award-winning 127-foot yacht in the Virgin Islands.

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 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! Never miss an update of new paintings and exhibitions by becoming a Studio VIP.