I was born in 1949 in New Prague, Minnesota. Childhood travels throughout America and to Europe with my Air Force father and family provided memorable experiences form which my artistic vision evolved. The odd look of cactus and the fragile, tenacious desert vegetation fascinated me when I moved to Tucson as an adolescent in 1964. The ability of plants and animals to adapt to the low rainfall and summer heat, yet burst forth with blooms, growth, and young as a result of periodic rains is still amazing to me. It is also inspiring to drive to the tops of the sky island, the mountains, to experience the wonderful changes in climate and ecosystems along the way to the summits.

I attempt to put my love and respect for nature and the creatures of the Southwest into each piece of art I complete. I work in several media, but increasingly in colored pencils for the exacting control leading to the expression of the fine details of the natural world. The variety of pencils and surfaces for drawing make it possible to achieve different artistic effects so the work may resemble art from pastels to watercolors or oils. The transparent pencils are layered on the paper to create the enchanting light effects and subtle tones of the Southwest. I would like to share with you the wonder of nature when you view my art.