Biography
About Art from the Inkwell
The Discipline of Line and Shadow
Black and white mediums forgive nothing.
Working in pen & ink, graphite, and scratchboard means there is no color to hide behind. Every feather on a bird of prey, the weathered grain of a historic timber, and the quiet dignity in an elder’s face must be carved directly out of the contrast between light and dark. As a self-taught artist, this unforgiving discipline has been my life’s work for over forty years.
My artistic path was fundamentally shaped by the landscapes I’ve called home. Nearly twenty years living in the shadow of the Rockies in Colorado Springs gave my work its deep affinity for Western spirit, wildlife, and Native American portraiture. A pivotal encounter in Cripple Creek with the work of artist Carole Bourdo—whose renderings captured intricate detail without sacrificing an ounce of dignity or soul—convinced me that ink and graphite could convey profound emotional character. Later, meeting Carole personally provided the final encouragement I needed to share and sell my work.
For the past twenty-six years, home has been Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. That move brought a new chapter of inspiration to my drawing board: the solitary vigilance of coastal lighthouses, the timeless geometry of covered bridges, regional wineries, and the historic architecture of places like Salem’s Mission Mill Museum, now called the Willamette Heritage Center.
The Fire and What Endured
Six years ago, a catastrophic fire swept through my studio, claiming forty years of original boards, paper, and physical drawings. Decades of hand-drawn work were lost to ash in an afternoon.
Yet the vision survived.
Because I had carefully maintained high-resolution digital archives of that work, four decades of creative output were not erased. The original boards are gone, but the intricate lines, the stippling, and the months of patience poured into every rendering remain intact.
Preserved for Walls, Desks, and Mailboxes
Today, this entire body of work is preserved and shared through Art from the Inkwell.
Because original boards from this era are so rare, each piece in my Galleries is offered as an archival fine art print and as boxed note cards. The prints are created to bring depth, contrast, and contemplation to your living space. The note cards are crafted for slow, deliberate correspondence—giving you a miniature work of art to send when a quick text or email simply isn't enough.
Because original boards from this era are so rare, each piece in my Galleries is offered as an archival fine art print and as boxed note cards. The prints are created to bring depth, contrast, and contemplation to your living space. The note cards are crafted for slow, deliberate correspondence—giving you a miniature work of art to send when a quick text or email simply isn't enough.
Here are some quick links to my other Storefronts and Galleries. Same artwork, additional products and occasional specials.
Commissioned Works: Capturing What You Love
In addition to the collection in my galleries, I continue to take on custom commission work, drawing directly from your photographs.
Whether it is honoring a beloved companion—a dog, a cat, or your favorite horse—or preserving memories of a home you lived in for twenty years or the very first home you just bought, a hand-drawn black-and-white rendering turns a personal milestone into an heirloom.
Every piece that leaves my studio is made with the same quiet care: drawn by hand, tested by time, and preserved in ink.
Whether it is honoring a beloved companion—a dog, a cat, or your favorite horse—or preserving memories of a home you lived in for twenty years or the very first home you just bought, a hand-drawn black-and-white rendering turns a personal milestone into an heirloom.
Every piece that leaves my studio is made with the same quiet care: drawn by hand, tested by time, and preserved in ink.
Art is a universal language of freedom that goes beyond any visible form to pierce on our emotional bodies and make us ignite to life.