Underlying all my art, from portraits to landscape, still-life to abstract, is the expression of innate dignity and wonder. The value of each individual, whether person or animal, the rightness of nature with its layers of decay and regrowth, the comfort of solid, well-used still-life forms: all contain an infinitely beautiful - and meaningful - variety of forms and moods to explore.

Working mainly in soft pastels, I began very seriously as a portrait artist. A need to “play” between portraits prompted me to use my beloved pastels for sheer enjoyment: abstract art whose only subject matter is colour, movement and harmony. The process of resolving these led to a better understanding of composition, benefiting portraiture and sparking an interest in landscape.

Nowadays I am painting an increasing number of works in oils, acrylic and mixed media. I would like to be known not for any one medium, but for a spark of liveliness that connects the viewer to the subject. In portraits, this is the most important quality besides physical resemblance. Painting portraits in oils has allowed me to work larger, and removes the need for glass between the art and the viewer.

For landscapes, I prefer a realistic style with a liberal layering of colours: those apparent to the eye and other unseen, underlying hues. Pastels lend themselves so well to this kind of exploration, and my long familiarity with them makes each stroke a personal meditation, as well.

My early fascination with horses has taken on a new incarnation, evolving into a series of horse images in which portions of the horse are examined in the sense of an abstract or landscape. This is where I get truly adventurous, with works in pastel, acrylic and mixed media. The power of these forms is especially exciting on a very large scale.

I have painted commissioned portraits for over 30 years. Formal art training includes a year towards a BFA at the University of Manitoba, workshops with numerous Ontario and Alberta artists and most recently a Certificate of Fine Art in 2002 from the University of Alberta Department of Extension. Art training in fact began at home at a very early age.