This Summer, I was glued to the Olympic games in Paris. While I was amazed and inspired by the world-class athletes, I also was saddened by being far removed from my athletic prime. I was a wrestler in college and ran 5Ks as a younger man, but after two hip replacements, I am faced with the fact that that my days of athletic competition are over.
Good thing I have painting. This year marks my 30th year of producing fine art for West End Gallery and I feel like I am just “hitting my stride.” West End has given me the opportunity to meet and learn from great artists. A little friendly competition and collaboration is great and my discussions and conversations over the years with fellow West End artists like Buechner, Poole, Myers, Gardner, Barone, Keeler, and Cratsley have helped me to grow as an artist.
I am very thankful for Lin and Jesse Gardner’s commitment to helping me to connect with people, through my work, and to bring what I do to people who may have an appreciation for fine art. I have a love for the landscapes of the Finger Lakes area and West End has helped me to share this love with others who feel the same way. Any positive interest in my work drives and inspires me creatively and challenges me to search for new locations to paint.
Hopefully, time has given my subject matter and technique a recognizable maturity. I look forward to bringing my work to the West End Gallery community for another 30 years.