It is my passion to describe through the exquisite language of painting, the sounds, smells and sights of an inner and often invisible world, a world that seems to be at the very core of my being. I try to understand what is the magic that draws one in and back again to a particular painting and its silent beauty. For me, it's the spiritual connection that compels me to paint and presents me with the opportunity to express this invisible world offering a constant and exciting challenge. The tools are fun, the brushstrokes, colors, palette knives etc. but it is the emotional connection to what I am doing that is the life force behind what I am able to create. It is a unity of thought, inner vision, instinct and understanding. It is a passionate journey of constant struggle and growth towards the light. It is a life of meditation and prayer in the deepest sense.

A part of my childhood was spent living on a farm in the English countryside and from where, the colors, sounds, smells and sights became embedded in my soul. I loved the softness of newborn lambs, the smell of fresh mown hay, the sound of a breaking farm egg, and the delicate brush strokes of color on the sweet pea flowers.

Later, when we moved to the beach, I had all sorts of new treasures to collect from the miles of sand, sea and cliffs that stretched out in front of our house. Stones of every color, shells of all shapes and driftwood, all washed up ashore. In winter, I would often go alone and wait on the empty cliff tops for the dense grey fog to roll in so that I would be able to hear yet not see the church bells. It all seemed so eerie and magical.

These energies, colors and sheer vitality of life's natural landscapes created deep reservoirs of internal joy that fed my soul.

I've been a gypsy since I left home at age 16. I was driven to follow an urge to explore the far corners of this earth for myself. No college, no money and no job but an enormous lust for the un-chartered territory and the adventure ahead. I traveled, visited and sometimes lived in exciting and far flung places such as the South Pacific Islands, the Far East, Australia, and most of Europe, before coming to the United States. Many countries and four languages later, I put my world university experience to use and had very successful careers internationally in the worlds of fashion, photography, and writing. Eventually, one expression pushed its way to the front and literally colored my world: PAINTING! It is my real passion and a near brush with death brought it in focus. However rock star is still not out of the question!

It is my wish that you find something within my paintings that touches you and that evokes an emotion, something that resonates like a drum beat across Africa, something special from this silent life force that talks to you and you alone.

Like all of my journeys there will be many twists and turns that forces one to discover who one really is. I still pursue life with passion and insatiable curiosity so as I continue to study, travel and live, my paintings will continue to grow. I invite you to take this journey with me as it unfolds and forever changes.

A few years after arriving in America, a "beautiful and pure spirit" appeared in my life. Her name is Paulette Cochet, an accomplished artist and teacher of watercolors. As I stumbled over my fears before the blank canvas, she lit the way with tenderness and encouragement. She peeled away the outer layers of apprehension that allowed me to see and develop my own passions and watched with amusement as I flew away to embrace the beauty and excitement that I had ultimately discovered in oils.

Master Teachers and Mentors:

JOHN OSBORNE - NJ
Landscape, portrait and still life artist. Ridgewood Institute of Art, NJ.
I thank him for constantly teaching me to "see" and guiding me through this lifetime journey. He is the shadow on my path and the encouraging voice in my ear .

FRANK ACURI - Still life. PA.
I thank him for unveiling the finesse of the total concept and his generosity of sharing his deep knowledge and experience. This is all given with encouragement, humor, and infinite patience to the beat of the blues!

STEVEN ASSAEL - Figure and Portrait. New York. NY.
This Master is a virtuoso, wheeling brushes of color and excitement that bring portraits and figures to life with a distinct and unique perfection, all to the beat of his very individual alternative music. Stephen is a very special person and gift in my life.

Workshops:

David Leffel. Art Students League. N.Y./Still life
Dennis Sheehan. MA/Landscape
Richard Schmidt MA/Portrait
Clayton Beck IL/ Figure

I also wish to thank all my friends and peers who continually share their talents and love of painting with me, in particular Bruce English, Dr. Stephen Colen, Jake Kalejian, John Lundquist, Sue Godwin, Toni Ryder, Vince O'Brien, James Adams, Julio Santiago, Rosemary Kimbal, Barbara Kozell, Louise Hafesh, Paul Assimacopoulos and Rose Freymuth-Frazier. In Italy, my friends Fabrizio Ferrari and Gordon Breckenridge,. All without whom life would not be so colorful.