For lack of a better term, I sometimes call my painting style, ‘Expressionistic Moomoo-ism’, which is basically ‘the joyous portrayal of cows and other creatures’.  As an artist I’m excited by shape, form, color and using lots of paint to create texture and depth, plus I always try to choose subjects that bring me joy…and few things bring me more joy than animals. 

While painting I work spontaneously and with as much energy and liveliness as I can muster…and my sincere hope is that the viewer can share in some of this merriment as well.  My personal philosophy in painting is: ‘make ’em laugh…or at least smile a bit’.  With all the stress in the world, I want to produce paintings that help bring a bit of cheer.  If I can do that, I’m delighted! 

As a young man I took courses in Animal Husbandry and was often amazed at how much personality and intelligence many of the animals had.  Ever since then they have fascinated me, and so it was natural for me to paint them once I ventured into an art career.  I believe that animals help make us more human.  They can connect us to the Divine by their stillness, genuineness, and in many cases, by their unconditional love, and I am honored to celebrate their wonder in some small way. 

I was born in La Jolla, California, in 1955 and started painting on my 49th birthday.  I live in Gold Beach, Oregon, with my wife, professional artist J.M. Steele, who I initially studied with, and who greatly inspires me still.  Van Gogh, Gauguin and Georges Rouault are just a few of the old masters who have also been great inspirations along the way.  A few modern artists I find inspiration in are Peggi Kroll-Roberts, Michael Sowa and Will Bullas.