What is your medium now? (oils, acrylic, pastel, watercolor...) What medium have you always wanted to use, but haven't yet? What mediums have you used in the past? Why do you prefer your current medium?

I create art in a variety of mediums. I enjoy being able to switch mediums to suit my mood or the piece that I'm currently working on. If I'm working inside, I prefer water soluble paints. I enjoy working in oil and pastel when outside.

Do you think the specific art materials you use are critical to the success of your work? If so, why?

I think that different materials have their place when creating art. For instance I will start a pastel piece using NuPastels, and Rembrandts as a base but will finish the piece using Schmenke pastels from Germany. The later have rich deep colors and a smooth texture perfect for final touches on a pastel painting.

Do you do preliminary sketches before painting your subject? In a sketchbook? Or directly on the canvas or paper? Why?

I typically do a thumbnail value sketch to ensure that design of what I am planning will work on canvas.

Do you prefer wood, glass or paper for your palette surface? Why?

When I work outside I prefer a paper palette for convenience. The palette in my studio is glass.

Do you prefer to sit or stand when you are painting? Why?

I prefer to stand when I paint unless I'm working on a very detailed area.

When do you know a painting is really finished? Or are you always wanting to 'tweak' it a bit more?

I will allow a painting to be "finished" when I can sit back and look at it and not feel compelled to "do one more thing."

What time of day are you most creative? Early morning? Afternoon? Early evening? Late at night? Which season do you feel most creative? Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer? Why?

When painting plein air, I prefer to paint in the early morning and late afternoon when light conditions are the most dramatic. When studio painting I find my time most productive time is around 10am-3pm. I love to paint after a good workout.

How do you feel about critiques? Feedback? Or do you prefer to problem solve on your own? What are the three most important things you look for when critiquing a painting? Why?

I love to get feedback from people whose work I like and respect. I also like to discuss my work with my oldest son. He has a great insight to my work and will approach critiques from the perspective of how a painting makes him feel rather than just the technical aspects of the work.

What do you think creates artistic blocks? How do you solve them?

Paralysis by analysis can cause me to stop working. Sometimes you have to act instinctively in reaction to what you are seeing or feeling and not over think your approach to a painting.

Do you support yourself from your art? Or do you have another job? Or are you retired? How does this affect your time to paint?

I have a full time job in Sports Marketing at the University of Maryland. I have applied my art background in many work situations from T-shirt design, to painting 10' x 10' murals at Comcast Center, to painting fiberglass turtle sculptures. I have started painting murals in children's rooms to supplement my income. I also teach one night a week. Those three tasks have taken a huge toll on my painting time, but are necessary right now. I get into the studio when I can and am currently working on a series of paintings for a show that I hope will be completed in the fall.

Describe how you title your artwork. Does it help to market a painting if the title is a familiar location to your buyer? (Bonus: What has been your favorite title?)

If I'm painting a familiar place I will title it as such. I also enjoy painting titles with a little bit of humor in them. I once did a large scratchboard piece of a polar bear lounging on a rock. I titled it "Arctic Centerfold". It fits the piece and makes me smile at the same time.