As an artist, I want my art not only to be masterful in technique, but also to engage the viewer’s mind. My artistic influences include great past American, Russian, and European masters including John Singer Sargent, Anders Zorn, William Bouguereau, and Ilya Repin, as well as contemporary masters such as Christopher Blossom, Mian Situ, Scott Christensen, and Daniel Gerhartz. These artists exemplify the union of technique and narrative that I also hope to achieve. As an artist working on the Florida Gulf Coast, I am especially drawn to the maritime landscapes inherent to that geographical area: coastal scenes of the bays, inlets, and beaches, as well as the working boats that come into the Port of Pensacola and nearby marinas. The behemoths of the petroleum industry are rather unique subjects; collectors have responded positively to their massive, complex aesthetic. I also find narrative figurative compositions incredibly compelling, and my forays into the genre have won national awards as well as inspired collectors around the country to add these pieces to their collections.