The story of becoming a photorealist painter begins when I was just a young child of four or five. I discovered my love for drawing and creating art. This artistic journey started with simple drawings of trucks, dinosaurs, and ships. Eventually, my parents realized that punishing me by confining me to my room was not effective, as long as I had a pencil, a simple piece of paper, and my boundless imagination. The love for creativity only grew stronger, and as I grew older, my passion for painting developed.
Every year, I spend countless hours pouring my heart and soul into creating my “masterpiece” to be displayed at the highly anticipated county fair the following summer, eagerly hoping for recognition. The immense dedication and hard work I invest always pay off when I am awarded a merit star or ribbon by the judges – no matter what color it is, I feel proud and uplifted. These small yet significant victories never fail to motivate me to continue creating and exploring the vast world of art. Gazing back, I am endlessly grateful for the recognition I received as it has continued to inspire me to tirelessly pursue my creative dreams.
When I was eleven, I had my first art sale, which was a pencil drawing of a clipper ship on the horizon.
The image below is not that drawing, but it was also drawn when I was eleven.
During my college years, I found a unique opportunity to blend my passion for art with my love for the ocean. I spent my summers drawing at a marina on Martha’s Vineyard, where I was hired to sketch pictures of the many yachts that would come and go. Not only did this work allow me to pay for my education, it also gave me a beautiful tan and the chance to connect with so many wonderful people.
My first art lesson was when I was a freshman in college….
I discovered my passion for design and painting in a class called Basic Design, where a supportive professor led me down a path I had never imagined. I had never dreamt of becoming a painter, but I eagerly took every opportunity to grow my skills, embracing each new project with enthusiasm. It was not until my final year of school that I truly challenged myself to try something new – photorealistic painting. Inspired by seeing a show of works by Richard Estes in Boston and with the help of my painting professor, I created my very first photorealistic oil painting.
While I was in college, I had a few pieces of my work on display at the Granary Gallery on Martha’s Vineyard. Fortunately, immediately after graduating, I was offered a solo show there in the summer of 1983. However, I needed a studio, so I set up a studio in my parents’ garage and ended up with 35 small pieces – pencil drawings, pen and ink, watercolors, acrylics, and oils. They were mostly landscapes from Martha’s Vineyard. Unbelievably, I sold 33 of them! I felt that I had my first big break. Because of this great beginning, the gallery then hosted many solo shows of my work for years to come. For 40 years now, I have been represented by this gallery.
In 1990, Gallery Henoch in New York began representing my work, and as a result, I had to shift my focus away from painting landscapes of Martha’s Vineyard since they would not resonate well with New Yorkers. Consequently, I began concentrating on still lifes that feature glass objects, primarily preserving jars and marbles. I found them similar to painting water, and I still showcase them to this day. I also started showing still lifes at the Granary Gallery due to its New York influence, but I still retain my scenic roots.
During the thirty years that I have been with Gallery Henoch, my passion for painting has grown immensely, resulting in larger, more intricate pieces that demand a significant amount of time and effort – sometimes up to 700 hours per project. These ambitious works of art are truly awe-inspiring when viewed in person. While I still enjoy painting glass objects, my recent affinity for the Wall Street Journal has inspired me to create dozens of exquisite paintings based on its content.
I have been fortunate enough to find my niche in still life painting. It allows me to express myself creatively while perfecting my technique in a subject matter that I truly enjoy. However, I understand the importance of continuously seeking new inspiration and perspectives to keep my artistic fulfillment fresh and evolving. And every once in a while, I’ll pick up my paintbrush and dabble in a landscape or two as a reminder of where my passion for art began.
Stay tuned….
