In 2012, the artist left the arid expanse of west Texas for the pine—laced air of Tyler, seeking a fresh beginning. The true emergence of his artistic voice, however, arrived in 2015, following the passing of his grandfather—a moment that opened a deeper awareness of identity and purpose. In this season of transformation, he recognized the distance between the life he was living and the authentic self he felt called by God to inhabit.

Although his formal training is modest—consisting of a basic design course, a watercolor class, and several studies in art history—his longstanding fascination with art’s lineage quietly shaped his sensibilities. A pivotal influence was a 19th century Impressionism course taken at Texas Tech, where he first encountered the expressive potential of light and atmosphere.

What began as an act of personal courage became a defining creative awakening. Without waiting for credentials or permission, he turned toward the canvas and allowed painting to become both a language and a path of return. Each work reflects that unfolding journey: an exploration of memory, faith, and inner illumination. For the artist, the decision to begin—on an ordinary day, with an honest impulse—marked the moment he stepped into the life he was always meant to live.