Though familiar with many painting genres I have always been intrigued and challenged by the human figure and face.

Behind my choice of subject matter is the implied belief that humanity is central to art and should be its principle theme. This outlook engenders a type of art counterpoised against the dehumanization of mass society and a constructive process dismissive of trivial efforts in the field of painting.

For many, this is the most difficult subject to pull off with any degree of detail, but it is often the most rewarding. While a number of genres can exude beauty and emotion, the human subject is the only one that can look back at you; the only one that demands that every viewer take account of who the subject is and the only subject that says ‘I am one of you’. Need I point out that the human figure is the long standing basis of western art and a progenitor of individualism?

My painting style can be described as ‘realistic’. After all the subject matter is figurative and closely follows nature in many cases. I don’t believe it to be high realism as my work tends to employ painting techniques affecting perception and the enabling of certain visual illusions. Very often it also incorporates design and selective rendition which are not associated with high realism.

As to my method, the simple version is that I work in stages and apply paint to stretched canvas using artist paint brushes. I am therefore a studio painter.

Back in the 1980’s, I was affected by some truly impressive paintings completed by a more senior student of exceptional skill. This set me on a different course – away from the abstract academy and its tenets.

For many years starting in 1971, I balanced family, work, education and art. Today I paint full time. My home and studio are in the city of Edmonton.