Plein Aire Oil Painter
About Me:
When I was 6 years old, I won an art contest that was sponsored by the company my father worked for. I only vaguely remember the piece I submitted, but it involved glue, dry macaroni and lots of glitter. The prize was a watercolor kit. Not just a plastic tray with a few dry compressed colors, but the kind used by serious artists. It came with a selection of sable hair brushes, tubes of watercolor paint, gauche, a water-well and a mixing surface, all efficiently contained in a book-sized metal box. I loved it! Later, I remember playing the board game “Masterpiece” with my older brother. It was an art auction game involving reproductions of famous paintings. These two things inspired my love of art which continues to this day. But it was not until I became an empty-nester that I began taking painting classes. Oil paint was the medium preferred by my first teacher, so that is what I took up.
I retired from a 30+ year career as a Pharmacist during the COVID pandemic lockdown, thus I began meeting friends outdoors to paint En Plein Aire.
I prefer not to be exposed to mineral spirits or terpenoids so instead of brushes, I paint with palette knives, and clean up with mineral oil.
My mentors include Hee June Shin, Camille Przewodek, and Kami Mendlik.
