Oil Painting: Creating a Still Life

I am a Hudson Valley based artist who has a passion for painting the beautiful scenery of the Hudson Valley, Catskills, the Adirondacks and other areas that inspire me. I know that the gift I have is given to me by God, and I know that He guides my hand

when I paint. I have a BS in Art Education from SUNY New Paltz and

an MS in Fine Art from the College of New Rochelle.

I have taught art privately and in public schools, and am currently pursuing my own work. In addition, I have studied under local and accomplished artists Seth Nadel and Kevin Cook. Under the instruction of Kevin Cook, I have learned the palette and techniques of the Hudson River School artists of the mid 19th century. This has evolved into a combination of that technique with my more impressionistic style.

Many of my subjects are taken from hikes in the Catskills, the Shawangunk Mountains and the Hudson River region. My love of

hiking began as a quest to see the places in the area where the Hudson River School artists lived and painted, such as Thomas Cole and Frederick Church. In addition, I am inspired by the scenic landscapes and historical sites, painting from photographs that I have taken myself. Interpreting light and color are extremely important to me, and I try to capture the essence of the subject in my paintings. It is my hope that the viewer will be able to share in my experiences of being there through my expressions on canvas.

But more importantly I see God when I am experiencing his beautiful creation, and want to show Him through my work. Romans 1:20 says “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”. This scripture describes my purpose when creating art, as I see Him in the beauty all around me and hope the viewer will see Him through my work.