How long have you been creating?

Well, I started with crayon murals and have since graduated to watercolor on paper. I remember being so proud of a cat drawing in kindergarten which I still have. I was always the most confident in art class and I'm still most comfortable in an art studio. I don't freeze up when others are watching me draw or paint.

What is your media of choice?

My first love is watercolor but I occasionally use acrylics.

What are your motivations for creating?

That's a hard question because I struggle sometimes and have to really force myself to focus. I have learned this year that money does not motivate me. It's nice to be paid and win prizes but if I have to create just to earn money, I lose my spark. Sometimes I'm motivated by the actual doing of the art especially if things are really coming together and I don't have to think too hard. Sometimes I'm really happy to be finished and I just enjoy what I've made. I'm also motivated to learn more and develop my artistic abilities.

What other artists or movements inform your work?

I've studied the old masters but most of my favorite artists are living or from the last 100 years. My watercolors have been greatly influenced by Jan Kunz. I stumbled across one of her books in the early 90s. A couple of years ago I was able to get into one of her last workshops. That was an experience I'll never forget. I like beautiful compositions rendered with dramatic lighting and paintings with people in them especially children. One of my favorite modern artists is Heide Presse. I also enjoy the work of Mary Whyte, Jessica Zemsky, Steve Hanks, and Jessie Wilcox Smith.

What do you find visually stimulating right now?

Illustrations by Jon J. Muth and Ted Lewin. I'm also really enjoying the change of seasons so I look out my window a lot while I'm painting.

Read anything good lately?

Right now I'm reading The Heavenly Man, The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun by Paul Hattaway.

Tell us about some of your artistic goals for 2007.

At the beginning of the year, I was preparing for a public project which was completed in May. Then I was asked to illustrate some children's books so my final goal for 2007 is to finish illustrating the first book.

What would you like your fellow EBSQ artists and our collectors to know about you and/or your work?

That my faith is a very important part of my life as an artist. Ultimately, it doesn't matter if I make any more money from my art or win prizes. My desire is to create whatever God wants me to so that he will be glorified.