Autism is a conundrum to those on the outside. Having a nonverbal child with autism has led me down many roads in search of answers. His silence is a hard mystery. But I have found that communication and relationship can take alternative forms to the spoken word. Autism has opened my world to seeing other possibilities and dimensions of being human. I have tried through art to capture some aspects of the unique, highly spiritual being that is my son, Daniel.

I frequently paint dolls, animals, and objects I’ve collected for studio work. I chose to paint dolls whose characters speak to me – their attributes are meaningful to me on some deeper level. They touch my psyche.
As I select and place the objects in a composition, they take on a life of their own as my inner muse spins a fantastic tale on canvas that often surprises me. These open-ended stories offer the viewer an opportunity engage their imagination as interpret the story.

For me, the human form is this life’s most meaningful metaphor. Every human embodiment exudes a unique spirit, persona, and soul. Painting and drawing the figure has been my highest endeavor; It has honed my draftsmanship because of the spacial complexity within the form. Figurative work is my meditation on the enigma--and truth-- within each person.

Human Expression: Figurative Work from the Model

For me, the human form is this life’s most meaningful metaphor. Every human embodiment exudes a unique spirit, persona, and soul. Painting and drawing the figure has been my highest endeavor; It has honed my draftsmanship because of the spacial complexity within the form. Figurative work is my meditation on the enigma--and truth-- within each person.

The Driftless

Explorations in paint by this recent settler in a settled land that speaks of the generations born here. The upper Midwest is a verdant and generous land seamed with streams and rivers fiving rise to bluffs and coulees. This region is fittingly called The Heartland.

The rich diversity and natural beauty of Hawaii must inform one’s sensibility. Sweet, soft air, breathtaking views and vibrant color saturate my spirit while the ocean sparkles, lunges and breathes onto the land. I lived in Hawaii for many years and return as often as able. It inspires me like nowhere else. How can one ever forget this?

Pastels display a passionate sense of color and line. The pure pigment of pastels convey a passionate sense of color and line and the process is apparent and fresh.

The Etchings take consumate draftsmanship a step further in mood, expression and intensity. The result is always surprising.

Drawing is key figurative art; this collection reflects years of deep reflection on-- and reverence for-- the beauty and dynamism of the human form.

Still life painting evokes mood in unique way - the unchanging nature of the subjects of the work allow the eye to settle and wait.

"These works are born of images that arise from the dried paint on my used palettes. I study the surface until images and landscapes appear to me. There is a Jungian element to the process as my unconscious (unveils?) gives birth to forms and figures of universal significance. The original texture of the paint invites expression--and as I apply more paint a visionary world unfolds.