Traditional education does not take away but rather gives the artist the power of personal expression. This personal expression must be backed up by a lifetime of careful studies and discipline. Studying from life helps to build a bridge between the eye and the hand. I have concentrated a large portion of my studies on the figure in order to unlock its secrets, which contain the universal laws of balance, harmony and composition. From the days of being a child artist to the time of designing the portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the 5 dollar bill during my time at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving to my current free lance painting career, my ultimate pursuit is to create uplifting and inspiring art.