The group of SoCalPAPA has lead me in many great directions!  The artists are encouraging and helpful towards the goal of becoming the artist I want to be.

I have traveled to Italy (a trip I first heard about at one of my first meetings years ago). I have exhibited my work in many wonderful group shows. I have painted side by side with fellow friends from the club in plein air painting, cursing and learning about the arduous journey of discovering what makes a painting sing and resonate with myself and any viewer. 

Years ago, (1990s) after taking many classes with Jeff Horn (life drawing mostly) and then plein air painting, I jumped at the chance to belong to SoCalPAPA when the group first started painting together on Fridays. Working en plein air has been a challenge that has greatly improved my studio work and taught me how to focus on finding "the light" and creating a good composition. In my work I choose to  paint landscapes, still life and the figure-- yes, all of it -- for the means of capturing the beauty of color and light in nature. 

Thanks be to you, all friends and fellow artists!