About

​​​

I earned my Master of Arts in Painting from Wayne State University in 1970 and have been actively producing visual art in the Detroit area since 1968. Born and raised in Detroit, I have lived, studied, and exhibited extensively throughout the city, always considering myself an integral part of the Detroit Art Community.

​

Until recently, I was represented by the Lurie Gallery in Miami, FL, and Beverly Hills, CA. My current body of work focuses on watercolor on paper, with paintings that are both representational and narrative-driven. These works often incorporate a metaphysical element to evoke a sense of mystery. My travels to Puerto Rico and Cuba have influenced my subject matter, as I capture digital images that resonate with me and then merge them into compositions. I spend significant time considering composition, followed by the interplay of color, space, and light. Additionally, a unique aspect of my process involves incorporating a painting within a painting. Once completed, I scan my works on a large-bed scanner and experiment with creating larger "Giclée" prints, sometimes expanding the originals from 24x34” to 34x48”. The origins of my watercolor work trace back to landscape paintings from the 1970s, a practice that has recently intensified, resulting in approximately 80 completed pieces.

​

Another major body of my work began as acrylic landscapes on easels in the 1970s and evolved into abstractions around 2000. These color field paintings have transitioned from surreal sky landscapes to large (50x70”) canvases filled with vibrant fields of color. To date, I have created approximately 75 pieces in this style.

​

Additionally, I have explored the creation of Mandalas, both as drawings and ceramic pieces. The Sanskrit word "Mandala" translates to "circle," a concept that has been recognized across cultures for its symbolic depth. In the Western world, Carl G. Jung reintroduced the Mandala as a tool for individuation and psychological integration. My own Mandala work serves as both a meditative practice and a secondary artistic focus, providing balance to my larger bodies of work. I have completed 30 Mandala-inspired pieces.

​

My artistic journey has also included filmmaking. In the early 1970s, I attended the London Film School and later worked in the film and television industry. In 1984, I wrote and directed a feature film, Going Back, for Vestron Pictures, which received critical acclaim nationwide. However, disillusioned by the film industry, I returned to my studio to continue my visual art practice. Recently, I produced a nine-minute film discussing my artistic process, which is available for viewing on my website.

​

Throughout my career, my work has evolved in a deeply personal way. I am influenced by Joseph Chilton Pearce’s theory that our imaginations are shaped by childhood play experiences, particularly between the ages of 6 and 12. My creative ideas stem from a developed imagination, travel, and daily life. A long-time student of Carl Jung, I adhere to his Theory of Psychological Type and the Collective Unconscious.

​

When it comes to interpretation, I do not impose a singular meaning on my work. Art, like literature or music, is deeply subjective—what I see in a painting may be entirely different from what another viewer perceives. This individual experience is what makes art special. An artistic statement often invites the question, “What does it mean?” My belief is that the meaning of a piece is unique to each viewer, shaped by their own experiences.

​

Ultimately, my goal is to create a sense of mystery through space, light, color, and composition, drawing the viewer back to the experience again and again.

​

Literary and Film Achievements:

• Novel – The Annunciation, Finalist in the Indy Book Awards and the Christian category of the International Impact Award competition.

• Children’s Book – Two Stones, multimedia format including video, published by Xlibris.

• Short Story Collection – Beyond: A Collection of Metaphysical Short Stories, published by CreateSpace (Amazon), recognized in competition at Shelf Unbound.

• Novella – The Mound, a middle school novella.

• Draft Novel – Tell Me the Story of Wounded Knee, a middle school novel about a girl reflecting on her social studies teacher.

• Feature Film – Going Back, streaming on Amazon Prime, starring Bruce Campbell.

• Screenplay – Contest of Speed, an unpublished coming-of-age story set in Detroit.

• Art Criticism – Over 250 reviews published at Detroit Art Review.