The process of commissioning a portrait with me begins with a conversation—a dialogue that helps me understand something about the person you, the client wants me to paint. I paint what I see but have a knack of getting a bit deeper and past the superficial qualities. I don't paint slick, polished portraits that have little character. I love finding the person's character and expressing it on canvas with beautiful color. This comes from 40 years of working on my craft and always finding ways to further my development as an artist.
 

I began my painting career in 1987 when I founded the Art Students League of Denver (ASL-D). The ASL-D was patterned after the 140 year old Art Students League of New York - with their help and guidance. And what prompted me to start a school in Denver, where I lived at the time? Simple - I was excited about learning how to paint!  I returned to New York City in 1997 and continued my studies at the League in New York. Since then I've taught figure painting in NYC, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and Paris, France.
 

I've been relentless in improving and growing as an artist. About 15 years ago I placed an add in Craigslist and announced that I would paint anyone and then give the painting to the person posing for me. This way I was able to paint scores of portraits further enabling my growth.  I contacted the Julliard School of Music in Manhattan and painted some of their students in my studio.
 

I'm often asked how is it that I can paint someone from a photograph and make it look like it was painted from life? The answer is that after an estimated 1000 hours of painting the figure from life, I have the knowledge and instincts to paint from the photograph and make it look like it was done from life!​