Collecting a Story: Inside My Painting Process

Welcome—I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m a Florida-based artist creating bold, joyful paintings inspired by the wildlife and landscapes that surround me. My work focuses on birds, fish, and other native animals, often set within intimate, close-up views of coastal Florida. These compositions are designed to draw you in—to feel as though you’re standing right there, immersed in the color, movement, and rhythm of the natural world.

Myself in front of my original acrylic diptych painting, Finding Life's Brilliance.

Each painting begins with a watercolor pencil sketch, where I loosely map out the composition directly onto the canvas. I then use an acrylic medium to set and soften the lines, allowing parts of the sketch to blur and dissolve into the surface. This early stage creates a sense of movement and spontaneity that carries through the entire piece.

From there, I build a loose, abstract underpainting—layering color, texture, and gesture to create depth and energy beneath the surface. These foundational layers are never completely hidden; they subtly reveal themselves through the final painting, giving each piece a sense of history and complexity.

As the work evolves, I begin to paint the subject—refining form while preserving the freedom of the earlier marks. I work in layers, using the same professional paints and expressive brushwork throughout, allowing texture and light to play across the surface. No area is incidental; each mark contributes to the overall feeling of the piece.

For collectors, this process is what makes each painting truly one of a kind. It’s not just the final image, but the layers beneath it—the decisions, revisions, and moments of discovery—that give the work its presence and depth.

My goal is to create pieces that feel alive—artwork that not only reflects the beauty of Florida’s wildlife, but also brings a sense of joy, connection, and energy into your space.

Whether you’re an established collector or just beginning your journey, I invite you to explore the work and find the piece that speaks to you.