I grew up in the mountains of West Virginia, surrounded by its natural beauty. I witnessed the struggles of my relatives in coping with this environment, as well as their deep connection to it, generation after generation. I listened to the folk music played in a living room lighted by kerosene lamps. I heard the sounds of classical music, which was my mother's passion. The art that most affected me was that of Norman Rockwell, Howard Pyle, NC Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, Michaelangelo, and the Dutch masters.

Inspired to try to capture my world, my love of it, and its people, I wanted to show man's interaction and relationship to his environment and himself. My sculpture is primarily figurative, portraying a moment of intimacy of self. My paintings are also a reflection of my view of the people and landscape around me.