I am a contemporary watercolor artist and instructor living in Southern California.
I began my college education studying fine art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After completing the first year program, however, I transferred to Columbia College to pursue film instead. I unfortunately fell into the common misconception that art is not a job and switched to a more technical career out of fear of starving.
In 2005, I graduated from Columbia College with a degree in cinematography. After I spent a short and stressful stint in the film business, I realized I needed to go back to my roots as a painter. I went to UCLA and worked as an Administrator with the hopes of eventually getting my MFA at a discounted price. When I met with the Director of the Painting Department, however, I was turned away and advised to go further develop myself as an artist. So, I quit my job and did just that. I studied watercolor under Debbie McDonald at Otis for a quarter and then my work suddenly began to blossom. After going off on my own and experimenting with techniques I finally began to find myself as a painter.
I've won numerous awards for my work, and, I am a Signature member of the National Watercolor Society (NWS) and their new Gallery Manager. Currently, I teach at the Palos Verdes Art Center and at Destination Art in Torrance, and, will soon be offering classes at the NWS Gallery in San Pedro..
Watercolor has always been my passion and it is my mission to bring to it the same level of prestige other mediums are esteemed with.
My work is often figurative, with several layers of transparent washes that roll over each other, causing the subject to drift in and out of focus. I take inspiration from the ordinary and find beauty in unconventional themes.
I began my college education studying fine art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After completing the first year program, however, I transferred to Columbia College to pursue film instead. I unfortunately fell into the common misconception that art is not a job and switched to a more technical career out of fear of starving.
In 2005, I graduated from Columbia College with a degree in cinematography. After I spent a short and stressful stint in the film business, I realized I needed to go back to my roots as a painter. I went to UCLA and worked as an Administrator with the hopes of eventually getting my MFA at a discounted price. When I met with the Director of the Painting Department, however, I was turned away and advised to go further develop myself as an artist. So, I quit my job and did just that. I studied watercolor under Debbie McDonald at Otis for a quarter and then my work suddenly began to blossom. After going off on my own and experimenting with techniques I finally began to find myself as a painter.
I've won numerous awards for my work, and, I am a Signature member of the National Watercolor Society (NWS) and their new Gallery Manager. Currently, I teach at the Palos Verdes Art Center and at Destination Art in Torrance, and, will soon be offering classes at the NWS Gallery in San Pedro..
Watercolor has always been my passion and it is my mission to bring to it the same level of prestige other mediums are esteemed with.
My work is often figurative, with several layers of transparent washes that roll over each other, causing the subject to drift in and out of focus. I take inspiration from the ordinary and find beauty in unconventional themes.