As I sketch and paint I dream about my relationship with the natural world. My paintings are talismans for the health of the earth.

I love observing primordial elements like gently flowing rivers, pellucid lakes, the flora growing along riverbanks, dense tangled undergrowth, and forests with glimpsed clearings. These ancient elements are constantly in flux. They were alive long before and will be long after our brief lifetimes.

I've a special affinity for rivers though and their metaphorical endlessness. When I watch a river's velvety, undulating flow of liquid light and shadow, I contemplate the ever changing yet never changing circle of life and death and the bittersweet, impermanent nature of our existence.

Solitude on the water is a very calming, spiritual experience for me. My spirit seems to thrive where nature has not been modified by human activity. These places lower my anxiety and seem to connect my mind and heart. They should be protected.

I like to sketch with colored pencils while I'm solo kayaking. Then I elaborate on those tiny sketches, creating much larger oil paintings in my studio. I hope my reverence for nature is conveyed in my paintings.

Humans are so obsessed with dominating nature instead of realizing that we are a part of it.

Honor and respect the land, water, plants and animals. Remember we are all part of the circle of life along with the rocks, trees, horses, eagles, fish, salamanders and spiders. They all have a unique purpose, and we do too.