I grew up in a small town in New Hampshire and really never gave art much thought even though I had won a few drawing contests and my English teacher in high school called me his Artist at the back of the room. I also took art classes as required to get my diploma.
Fast forward through college where I took pre-med classes and for fun I would take drawing, pottery and other art related classes. However, it was in my mind to get a medical degree. It wasn't until 1987 where I moved to Gardner, Massachusetts that I start thinking a little bit about photography. To support myself I started a real estate company and then pursued photography somewhat as a part time profession.
After doing some work for the Gardner News, apprenticing with a well-known photographer doing lifestyle photography, and training at the New England Institute for professional photography I focused more on portraiture.
About 4 years ago I started learning about Encaustic Abstract Painting. I knew nothing about it but equipped my studio (once the real estate office) with materials to make encaustic paintings. That equipment included a blow torch, heat gun, griddle and assortment of wax paints along with stencils, beads, lace, and anything else I could incorporate into my work.
This work eventually evolved into a type of abstract expressionism which is defined as an artistic movement of the mid-20th century comprising diverse styles and techniques and emphasizing especially an artist's liberty to convey attitudes and emotions through nontraditional and usually nonrepresentational means. So, in layman's terms I simply paint what I feel lead to paint. Sometimes I just think about the canvas and a color comes to mind then I start painting, sometimes with brushes and oftentimes with just my hand (with gloves on). Generally, halfway through the painting I dislike it but eventually there comes a point where I say, "I think it's done!".
I often ask people who view my work what they think it looks like. Other times I ask what emotions it conjures up. In the end, I hope you enjoy what you see.