For me painting has become a passion; it's something I have to do for my soul and spirit, it's a religious connection with nature. My goal as a painter is to convey my personal interpretation of nature through a realistic impressionist manner. Growing up in a rural Wisconsin town I developed an appreciation and respect for nature through my many hours of exploring the woods and backwaters of the Fox River. It was only natural that my love for art and the outdoors would eventually merge. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a fine arts degree, I began a successful illustration career, working with the traditional tools of the time (pencil, paint and brush), and then transitioning into the digital medium.