There is not a lot of difference between art and music for this artist. A Frederick native, he grew up in a house where painting and singing were just part of the norm. As he went to school he then learned that not all the children had a knack for drawing or singing. During his teen years, he gave up art for music and currently this is what he does. Rather than washing cars he preferred to play in bands to earn money.
Music had been his life for over 30 years. It was not about 12 years ago that he decided to explore painting again. He loved it and is still continuing his painting. He does paintings and sings regularly these days. There is more meaning behind his paintings these days.
To learn more about oil painting he asked his friend who was a fellow musician for some lessons. While working closely with his mentor, he worked hard to perfect his realistic skills. Some of the things he was able to do while he was learning was a painting that was chosen as a promotional print the year it was painted, and a portrait of a long haired, white cat.
What you want to say will come out in the end results. Normally ne targets emotions and checks a certain scene to see where that is. He targets the most flattering image when making portraits for people. According to him, it is the right lighting that makes the image more flattering.
The proper lighting and shadow depth helps bring a three dimensional look to the piece. Despite using watercolor, some people still perceive it to be oil. He finds it easier to work with watercolor since it is not technical.
One of the biggest projects that he had to do was paint a mural for a couple who live in the Clover Hill section of Frederick. One whole wall in their home is now covered with colonial Williamsburg which he painted. With their love for the early American village they wanted to have one big mural of it in their house. About 10 feet wide by 4 feet tall is the measurement of the mural which is of a fictional street.
Having added some wagons and people dressed in colonial garb and hollyhocks it mural seemed more real now. In order to finish the project he had to log about six to 12 hours a day four days a week. Rehearsals were what the other three days was for. For him painting will strip one physically and mentally. Concentration is the number one thing you need to have.