About the Artist
I was an officer in the U.S. Navy for 22 years. After I retired, my wife and I came to the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. I went back to school and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with a concentration in painting, from the fantastic program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Following graduation in 2003, I became a full-time artist with a studio in the River Arts District.
Five years later, I answered a call and went to Iraq for 18 months with the State Department to manage reconstruction programs around the country. That was followed by a year in Afghanistan, helping local officials, businessmen, and others to better manage their government and economy. I returned home in 2012 and my wife won't let me go to war zones anymore.
Now my studio is in a former textile mill next to the historic French Broad River just north of Asheville. I'm always working on something new - currently a series of figures in charcoal and pastels, but also with new techniques in oils. My paintings have won recognition and awards in national and regional exhibitions. The Smithsonian Museum of American History has my "Faces of Afghanistan" drawings (about 50 drawings, mostly portrait sketches of rural Afghans done from life) in their permanent collection. In addition to making my own artworks, I teach workshops and mentor young students. For more information, check out my studio web page.
Five years later, I answered a call and went to Iraq for 18 months with the State Department to manage reconstruction programs around the country. That was followed by a year in Afghanistan, helping local officials, businessmen, and others to better manage their government and economy. I returned home in 2012 and my wife won't let me go to war zones anymore.
Now my studio is in a former textile mill next to the historic French Broad River just north of Asheville. I'm always working on something new - currently a series of figures in charcoal and pastels, but also with new techniques in oils. My paintings have won recognition and awards in national and regional exhibitions. The Smithsonian Museum of American History has my "Faces of Afghanistan" drawings (about 50 drawings, mostly portrait sketches of rural Afghans done from life) in their permanent collection. In addition to making my own artworks, I teach workshops and mentor young students. For more information, check out my studio web page.
In the Studio
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Afghanistan, 2012
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Interview on "Flip Your Script" - a podcast of interviews with people around the country who have made big changes in their lives
I was interviewed by Kristi Piehl on the "Flip Your Script" podcast. We covered the hows and whys of my Navy career, the change to becoming an artist, some of the detours along the way, and why I do what I do. Click on the link above and it will take you to the site.
I was interviewed by Kristi Piehl on the "Flip Your Script" podcast. We covered the hows and whys of my Navy career, the change to becoming an artist, some of the detours along the way, and why I do what I do. Click on the link above and it will take you to the site.
