I painted my first painting in 1961 without any lessons and very little instruction. I still have that painting. It is awful. But, I can see how far I have come. I painted maybe 4 or 5 pieces in acrylic over the next 15 years. And, then in the mid 1990's I got the itch to paint again. I have had no formal training and looking back, I would consider myself a folk artist. I took a drawing course in 1975. In 1999 I found an accomplished painter and sculptor, Gregory Johnson, who took me on as a student. I worked with Greg one day a week for about three years. He brought me a long way and I still consider him my mentor. Since then, I have studied with portrait artists Jim Schell and Marc Chatov. I have joined a few organizations to help expand my knowledge and abilities; The Portrait Society of Atlanta, The Portrait Society of America and the Atlanta Fine Arts League. I hope to soon be devoting all my time to art and portraiture.
