I'm a self-taught artist who creates equine, western and wildlife drawings using a simple ballpoint pen on paper. My work is figurative and relies on both memory and photo references that I compile into unique equestrian and wildlife subjects. Through rhythmic mark making, I render figures and their associated backgrounds with a meditative repetition into exquisite black and white photographic-quality artwork.
Most of what I create is strongly influenced by traditional western and cowboy genre drawings as well as many years of raising and working with horses. I'm a patient, detail-oriented artist who’s taken a traditional subject matter with a long artistic history and applied to it this contemporary, non-traditional medium.
I was born in Clayton, Delaware. Growing up, I developed a love of horses and an extremely strong work ethic. After serving our country as a petty officer in the United States Navy, I pursued my love of horses and my lifelong dream of raising them and successfully participated in western equestrian activities such as barrel racing, pole bending and team roping. I also performed at local rodeos and equestrian events as a member of the Raw Hiders mounted drill team.
This hands-on experience, with my love of horses and acquired knowledge of equine anatomy gives me a unique perspective on cowboy and equine art. My use of highlights, gradients and shadows in my ballpoint pen technique creates beautiful, eye catching, high-contrast drawings.