Grandparents can offer a powerful inspiration.  Their son, my father was vision impaired from birth.  My grandparents encouraged me to describe in detail, to my father, everything I discovered.  Textures, contrasts, shapes and color became my focus.  "Catch a fish, see it, study and remember it," Pop-Pop would say.  "When we go home, draw that fish for Grammy and describe your sketch to your dad."  This became my responsibility and purpose, my dad's eyes.  See, study, remember and recreate, this soon became my fascination.ä 

The Southern New Jersey shore was my home then.  Landscapes, flora and fauna were among my favorite subjects to paint.  When old enough to travel and explore, my interests expanded.  Painting commercial fishing vessels, historical sites, and new destinations became my artistic interests.  Scuba diving provided me with 10 years of aquatic inspiration.  Diving and painting the beauty experienced underwater offered many commission opportunities with NJ Fish Game and Wildlife, NJ Outdoor Magazine, Rutgers University, American Academy of Underwater Sciences and School Mural Residencies.ä 

Taking a break from the ocean environment, I found myself painting images of my daughters and friends from old vacation photos.  With the girls grown and independent, a move to Chester County, PA offered many new opportunities and inspirations.  Farms, barns and antiques are new favorites.ä

The Castillos de Animales series was inspired by a dream I had shortly after my father passed away after a long illness.  In the dream, at age 13, laying in the sunshine warmed grass, I slept.  Hearing a quiet sound in the grass to my left, half awake and blurry eyed, I squinted to focus and saw a box turtle moving slowly, carefully to meet his destination.  Upon his back was a slippery snail trying to balance a bird on his shell.  On top of the bird was a frog and butterfly.  Waking, sketching and developing ideas in my mind, a new series was born.ä

There are now 14 animal castle images, with more in progress.  I hope these prints will bring a cheerful pleasure and bright colors to all who view them.  I am thankful for the ability to express myself through my paintings in watercolor.  I thank my closest friend of many years whose name is hidden in each painting I complete.