Growing up in Arvada, Colorado, I always had strong artistic influences from my family, friends and the beautiful surrounding landscape. After graduating in May, 1991 with an illustration degree in Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute, I began working full time as a Background Artist at Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios in Orlando, Florida. My work with such dedicated and truly talented artists on animated films such as The Lion King, Mulan and Lilo & Stitch has given me an understanding of craftsmanship and helped me develop a passion for lthe traditional andscape and figurative painting with an emphasis on light, value, color and emotion. I have since shifted my creative focus towards the contemporary.