About
CHASING THE SUBLIME
"A good movie should make you laugh, cry, and scare the hell out of you." —William Castle, B-movie, horror film director
The quote above might sound obvious coming from a director of scary movies, but Castle's famous quote is eerily similar to how philosophers and artists speak of the sublime in all the arts.
Few things are more satisfying to me than to stand before a work of art and be engaged both emotionally and intellectually. Art that can do both will often take me to a place beyond or someplace deep within myself—sometimes both. Beauty alone is not enough. In fact, it may not be necessary at all.
When I paint, I am more interested in creating works that reach for the sublime. Paintings that stop and stimulate the viewer. Work that is built around a narrative, whether implied or obvious, that speaks to a deeper meaning than the mere superficial. To paraphrase another movie-related idea similar to Mr. Castle's: it demonstrates the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Of course, I don't always succeed. It's like chasing the proverbial carrot on a stick. It's a journey where the destination seems to be just over the horizon. Like many valuable things in life—love, forgiveness, wisdom, etc.—chasing the sublime is a process, not a single action or revelation. And so, the journey continues.
I am a professional artist living in Tomball, Texas. While I occasionally dabble in still life, lI have always been drawn to the landscape as my primary source of inspiration, and have travelled to every corner of Texas looking for special places and vistas to paint. I lived in California for 25 years where I was a university creative director and my art career was part time. My paintings from that period (like the one above) reflect the beautiful California desert, coast, and mountains. Now that I am back in Texas (and retired from my day job) I am pursuing art full-time and will return to demonstrating the beauty and diversity of the its landscape.
1983
BFA in studio art, minor in Philosophy
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas
2008
One-week show in May
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art
Malibu, California
2009
One-week show in May
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art
Malibu, California
2010
One-week show in May
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art
Malibu, California
2020
Month-long, online painting tutorial with established artist, Duane Keiser. The goal was to complete a painting each day for the entire month of December.
2022
Solo landscape show
October–December, 2022
Santa Barbara, California
2023–2024
Nine-month, online mentorship with artist Duane Keiser, focusing on the business of art.
2024
Launched a new online store and email newsletter for my art business.
2025
Second- and third-place awards at the Tomball Art League Fall show.
2026
First-place, First Honorable Mention, and an Honorable Mention at the Tomball Art League Spring show.
People's Choice Award at the annual Lone Star Art Guild juried show on June 13.