Painting the future of the American West, I feature the "young breed" of exuberant cowgirls and cowboys whose joyfully passionate engagement in the western way of life is my inspiration.  With these action paintings, my intention is to portray their excitement, determination and take-charge attitudes.   To capture the emotion and human/animal interaction in the heat of the moment when circumstances are unpredictable and happen fast.

I use oil paint, oil pigment sticks and graphite to enhance the quality of line in my work.  I prefer dynamic compositions and close-cropped subjects with areas of negative space that provide opportunities for me to play with design, abstracted shapes and contrasting color.

Growing up in Lakeview, a remote ranching community in Eastern Oregon, I learned to admire the cowboy way of life, families earning their living through hard and dangerous work, where even the youngest members are essential contributors.  Despite the long hours and difficult conditions, these families possess incredible humor and the ability to play as hard as they work.  This spirit of resilience, determination and joy is what I strive to convey in my paintings, so saddle up and let's ride!