In my mid-forties I moved to Northern Colorado (Loveland) and fell in with an art group that was influenced by Richard Schmidt. Richard lived in nearby Rist Canyon. He didn't stay long (darn) but he did start a thriving group of artists that I was lucky enough to be exposed to. I attended a weekly portrait group that painted from life. When I painted my first likeness of the model, I was hooked. I also attended weekly classes at the The Denver Arts Student League and to paint outdoors. Before going into the studio I painted outdoors. So, you probably get the idea; I basically jumped in with both feet and kept painting.

My first teacher emphasized two things. First, paint from life when ever possible; second, when you get good, teach. I was not the first to find that a good teacher doesn't need an art degree to teach effectively. I had some bad teachers and knew what not to do. What's needed is the ability to describe how to create good art and have the skill to  communicate the fundamentals of the trade. Once i mastered these elements, I could see my students get better and better.
 I taught exclusively in-studio  until Covid hit. When the pandemic shut down studio classes I began to learn video editing, and online teaching. I found a student audience eager to learn from home. Now that Covid is exerting less pressure I am happy to reestablish in-studio class and to continue my successful online classes as well.