From a very early age, it was evident that I possessed unique abilities in drawing. Many hours were spent drawing in my childhood. Without even being aware, I was training my eyes and hands. At some point I began to observe the work of others, whose skills were at a higher level than mine. My own work progressed as I tried to emulate their quality and style. I was initially drawn to photography as reference for my drawings. A well-shot photo was an excellent reference for a detailed drawing or painting. But almost immediately I gained appreciation for photography as its own art form. This led me to want to improve my abilities in this area, so I enrolled in a beginning photography course as an undergrad. I continue to learn as much as I can about all of my interests through a growing library and occasional enrollment in formal classes and workshops. While I take great pleasure in immersing myself in the beauty of nature, my work focuses mainly on the beauty inherent in people, whether it be portrait or figure. I have always been compelled to depict my subjects realistically and detailed, yet somewhat idealized. Each person has inherent value and I want to present them at their best. That said, my most successful work contains an element of storytelling, including one that is allegorical. This is where I see my work headed. These images illustrate a concept about humanity’s physical, emotional, mental or spiritual state.