My first art teacher was Bryce Henry who never showed his work and never sold it. He would give me art lessons in exchange for scrounging up masonite panels for him to paint on. He had a degree in commercial art and a degree in fine art from the Chicago art Institute. He had a polished impressionistic style that was unique. He would not allow another artist to see his work. The one lesson that has always stuck with me is to have total empathy with my subject matter and to paint with my heart instead of my Brain.

My second teacher was Florence Macintire who conducted the Saturday School in her home in Victorian Village. She started the Memphis art Academy and was a student of Edward Hopper, American Trashcan artist who painted “Nighthawks’. She was a total disciplinarian and had no patience for slackers. You had to earn a spot in her class to stay there,

Jason Williamson taught me watercolor. He said he wold not take credit for teaching me anything until I covered a thousand square feet of watercolor board. I am still working on it. He was a wonderful person as well as an inspiration.

I was a member of the Memphis watercolor Society. It was limited to 12 artists ho had to show a new painting each month for critique by the other members. To maintain your membership you had to either have a painting accepted in a national show or have a one man show each year. It was a dedicated group that was serious about art and dedicated to helping each other progress. It was a privilege and an honor to be a member.

I worked as a creative director with many Memphis ad agencies as well as having my own design studio. Some of my work is still around. I created the official logo for Beale street, Mud island and the State of Mississippi that you can see on their license plates.

I have had one man shows in Memphis. I once had a best of show in the watercolor division of a seven state invitational exhibition at Brooks Memorial art Gallery. One of my painting was accepted for hanging in a Watercolor USA show. I have sold my work in galleries in Hawaii for 20 years as well as doing commission work there.

Over the years I have worked as a window display artist, an interior decorator, a graphic artist, a studio artist, an art director, a creative director, a commercial photographer, food stylist, and a portrait artist. I have designed houses and built them. I have designed jewelry, custom rugs, clothing and landscaping. art is more than a hobby, it is a lifestyle.

I now live in Germantown and have a dedicated studio/gallery/guest room in my attic. I have enjoyed moving back to Memphis and reconnecting with family and friends. I am looking forward to the stimulation of being around creative people to shape and expand my future work.