I spent my career as a CPA, but my move to the desert landscape of Far West Texas led me back to my lifelong interest in art. Today, I am an artist based in New Mexico, working primarily in pastels and oils. My work focuses on the landscapes and wildlife of the high desert.
In 2024, I lost my entire body of work in a fire at the Gallery on the Square in Alpine, Texas. It was a difficult reset, but it also pushed me to start fresh. Now a member of the Pastel Society of New Mexico, I am focused on building a new portfolio. My goal is simple: to create balanced, honest paintings that capture the stillness and light of the natural world.
Statement
The Journey
Before becoming an artist, I worked as a CPA. My career change began in Alpine, Texas, where the rugged landscape of the Big Bend region encouraged me to pick up a brush again. I quickly realized that my technical skills were still sharp. Moving to New Mexico has since led me to focus on the high-desert horizon and the distinct light in this part of the country.
My Process
I work in soft pastels and oils, using my own photographs to plan each composition. While the photos provide a map, the character of the painting comes from the materials. For me, pastels are about direct color, while oils allow for a slower build of texture. I try to stay out of my own way to leave room for the unplanned marks and mistakes that happen when I stop overthinking and just let the paint move. That is usually when a piece finally clicks.
Starting Over
2024 was a difficult turning point. A fire at the Gallery on the Square in Alpine, Texas, destroyed most of my body of work. While it was a significant loss, it also provided a fresh start. Since moving to Albuquerque and joining the local art community along with the Pastel Society of New Mexico, I have returned to the studio to rebuild. This new series is less about the past and more about the environment I am working in today.
The Goal
I paint because I value the quiet. Whether I am painting a vast New Mexico sky or the details of a local bird, I am trying to share the peace I feel when I am outdoors. My goal is for these paintings to provide a sense of space and stillness once they are hanging in your home.
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