I have lived in the state of South Dakota my entire life and my sense of attachment

to the people, places and things of this area is very strong.  My work concerns a keen

interest in the observation of both internal and external realities.  For me the painting

surface should be a place where matter, mind and spirit meet.  For the most part my

painting is representational in nature, but, as of late, the people, places, and things have

been appearing in increasingly abstract environments.  Objects float through space.

 Gravity exists in the real world but not necessarily in the world of imagination or the

spirit, and appears in painting only through the choices an artist makes.  I make art

because it gives my life meaning.  It connects me to a larger inner world that I know I

would not have access to if I were not making art.  Painting is an attempt for me to

understand myself and the world around me.  Art pushes me and I respond by

continually working so that I might better express myself as a painter.  Art gives

me a feeling of accomplishment, mastery and connection.