My formal training began in 1972 at the El Paso Art Academy under the sole direction of the late Robert Hedley, a noted El Paso artist. I have been a Houstonian most of my adult life and for many years I continued art studies at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts Glassell School of Art. I found it beneficial to work for several hours each week in the dynamic setting of other artist and staff critique. I enjoyed my time there.
Currently, my focus is oil painting and figurative drawing with a variety of media. Most of my work is done in my studio at home.
Having grown up in El Paso Texas, the beauty of the landscapes and peoples of the Northern Chihuahua Desert is ingrained in me. The art works of native El Paso artist Tom Lea have been a strong influence on me throughout my life. Additionally, I continue to be inspired by the works of another early 20th century artist, Julian Onderdonk, who through his paintings brilliantly interpreted The Texas Hill Country where my wife and I own a second home and spend much time.
Figurative drawing and painting, capturing the life of the human form as a studio model or in their natural experience and rendering with a variety of media, is also a challenge I continue to explore. Today, I am influenced by the works of current artists, Jose Royo and Malcom Liepke.
The Desert
Over the years I have done numerous paintings of the the West Texas, Southern New Mexico Desert. This is because it is my homeland, the Northern Chihuahua Desert. It is where I grew up and spent the first 24 years of my life. I am drawn to it and I am drawn to the Windmill, the solitary structure standing firm and doing its job regardless of the weather or circumstances. In a way, my Windmill paintings are a self portrait.
The Desert is harsh and beautiful. It was in the the desert, Middle East, that the Abrahamic religions of Judaism and Islam, and the faith of Christianity arose. It was in the harshness of the desert that God revealed Himself to mankind. Life is harsh. But often in the midst of the dry desert there is an Oasis. We see it and think we are saved but it’s a mirage. It is in the Oasis, the big cities, that we degenerate.
Featured in Exhibitions
This 2022, 16x20 oil on canvas is a portrait painting of my grandson Brayden at 4 1/2 years old. It has recently been accepted for exhibition in the 38th Open Exhibition by the Visual Arts Alliance, juried by the Mayors Liaison to the Arts, Mr. Lester Marks
Fall 2021 Kinder Morgan Exhibition title Emotion
In December 2021, I did a series, 3 paintings, of the Nativity. This one of the Holy Mother and Christ Child was accepted for the 2021 Fall Kinder Morgan Exhibition in the lobby of the Kinder Morgan Bldg in downtown Houston.
2019 36th VAA Juried Open Exhibition
2021 Figurative Art Exhibition MFAH
My portrait of my son Joey, which I have titled “Houston’s Finest”, was selected for the Houston Visual Arts Alliance 36th Juried Open Exhibition. 407 artworks were entered and the Juror, Christine Jelson West, selected 55.
The exhibition was held at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards Street from June 17th to July 13th, 2019.
UPDATE: In the Fall of 2021, this painting was selected to be part of the Figurative Art Exhibition at the MFAH Glassell School Bucher Gallery which closes February 9th, 2022.