I
grew up the youngest of five children in the rural plains of Southwestern
Kansas. The primary culture I experienced as a child was agriculture. I have
fond memories of those days and credit that place with cultivating in me a
healthy imagination and an appreciation for simple things.
I've always had the ability to draw. As a child, art was my entertainment.
I'd draw and sculpt animals and dinosaurs from the pages of the World Book
encyclopedia. If ever I'd be singing the blues, my Mom would set me up with
some clay or paper and pencils and that's all I needed.
For the longest time, artistic expression seemed more an adornment to my life
than its central focus. I remember seeing a film about Andrew Wyeth, and that
sparked me, for some reason that connected, I could see myself living that
life, doing what he was doing. I began to consider more seriously, the true
potential of my abilities.
