Here is my first attempt at a group portrait and possibly my only attempt at a self-portrait.  I drew these when I was six years old and the assignment was to create an “About Me” poster.  We were allowed to represent our families and ourselves by using either a photo or a drawing.  I guess this is where my preference for drawing began.

My ability to create photo realistic pencil drawings began when I had to draw my first still life in the ninth grade.  I realized that I had a knack for this type of art and although my hand guides the pencil, I am always truly amazed at how a simple pencil allows me to produce something that looks so real.  Watching the drawing come alive is certainly the most rewarding aspect of what I do.

I began drawing portraits of people and animals during my college years.  I was always broke and had to come up with a cheap and creative way to give Christmas presents to my friends and family.  “Mother & Daughter" was drawn for my mother and “Sisters” was drawn for one of my sisters.

I have never received formal art training unless that includes my art teachers in grade school.  I graduated from NC State University with a BS in Animal Science and entered the pharmaceutical industry to try my hand at being a research scientist for five years.  Although I had a very successful career, I eventually grew tired of “Corporate America” and chose to pursue my art hobby as a career.

I am currently creating portraits of people and animals and landscapes of any kind.  These drawings are produced using a graphite pencil and acid-free paper.  Although my media of focus has been graphite pencil, my hope is to be able to expand on that in the near future.