Painting is, for me, a form of meditation. When I am painting (or at least when I am painting well), I am focused entirely on the act of painting and very little intrudes on that focus. Painting and drawing cause me to see differently, too. When I am painting regularly, I am far more likely to see beauty, especially in everyday things and scenes which I would otherwise not notice. This seeing is another form of meditation and prayer, a celebration of Creation.

I have two goals when I paint. The first, and easier to articulate, is to make a good painting. That is, I want my design and drawing to be good ones and I want to demonstrate my ability to use the watercolor medium. I am especially drawn to and challenged by the transparency possible with watercolor.

My second goal is to express what I see and to share with others my celebration of Creation, both in larger scenes (landscapes) and in the minute and particular (flowers and still lifes).

I am a Quaker, a graduate of Westtown School and a member of Goshen Monthly Meeting in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Fran and I were married under the care of our Quaker meeting in 1997 in a glorious celebration of our commitment. My father, all our children, almost all of our in-law children and all Fran's grandchildren were present, as well as friends from as far away as England, co-workers and meeting members.