My paintings begin with an experience of nature. I paint and sketch outdoors when the weather permits, recording visual information in my sketches, making note of sounds and smells, and absorbing the mood and feel of the day. If the paint is freezing on my palette or the driving rain is soaking my paper, I still enjoy immersing myself in the play of light across the snow or the smell of wet earth. When I can't work outdoors, I work from sketches, photos, or natural objects gathered earlier, or I visit nature indoors at conservatories, museums, even garden shops. I strive to record the healing and uplifting touch of the natural world in my work in a form that is available even when the direct experience of nature is not. I paint for everyone--myself included!--who'd like to be able to spend more time outdoors. Although I have natural forms and colors in mind as I work, I am more interested in creating a mood--of calm reflection, joyful exuberance, mystery or wonder--than in depicting a particular scene or telling a particular story. My goal is to create a painting that will have the same effect on the viewer as time spent contemplating nature. I hope you find peace, renewal, healing and happiness in viewing this work.