As a self-taught photographer, I have learned by observing the masters.  The
lensmasters who have had the greatest influence on my work have been George Hurrell,
Edward Weston, and Walker Evans. Hurrell’s work in Hollywood from the ‘20s until the late 40’s,  especially his use of light, were the guide for the way I photograph people. His lighting techniques seemed to bring out the hidden personality of the stars of his day but his work seems
devoid of artifice, particularly when compared to the work of some of his contemporaries,
and it is this natural appearance that I strive for with my portraits and figure studies.

 When it comes to figure studies, Weston’s influence undeniably comes shining
through.  The starkness of background and lighting, the play of light on shapes and
surfaces, all of these have served as my guide when photographing the human body.  I
can only hope that my exploration of the image of the nude comes close to what he
accomplished.

 Walker Evans’ work for the WPA in the thirties showed an ability to take a
stripped-down look at the abandoned, weathered buildings of the Depression-era West
and Midwest and force those images to tell a story.  Whenever I have a building in my
viewfinder, I can’t help but try to put some of  that same storytelling into my own
photographs.

  The play of light and shadow on a surface is most important to me, and black and
white film is, in my opinion, the only medium suitable for capturing that. To achieve the
look of another era, I use photo-floods instead of strobes, and print on very high quality
graded fiber-based paper.  It all adds up, I hope, to an image that is evocative of what
came before, but represents an advance in my artistic journey.
 
     Awards and Achievements
Escondido Arts Association, 1st place photography, March-1998
46th International Exhibition of Photography, Del Mar, Ca.1995
 
 Group Shows
Escondido Arts Association, "Photography Show", Escondido, CA October 1998
VAG  "Premier Show", Escondido, CA. August 1998
Photo Factory Gallery,  “The Clasic Nude” San Diego, CA March- July- 1998  Grand Galleria, "About Faces", Escondido, CA. March- 1998
Cafe Artista, "Contemporary Artists Show", Escondido, CA . Feb- 1998
 
Juried Shows
Escondido Municipal Gallery, "Transportation" Escondido, CA. October 1998
Escondido Municipal Gallery, "Local Color III" Escondido, CA September 1998
Robert Wright Gallery, "Spring to Summer Show" Escondido, CA. May- 1998
 
Group Affiliations
Escondido Arts Partnership
VAG Visual Artists Group