In my childhood, several people influenced my love for nature. On our many walks, my storytelling grandfather would fascinate me with the names of plants and their purposes. My mom’s childlike delight in even the simplest things taught me to be visually aware. My dad gave me my love for birds. For years I painted murals featuring birds, insects, animals, grasses, and wildflowers. Painting murals gave me an opportunity to display the things I learned to love as a child. On a walk a few years ago, it occurred to me that if birds could build nests, then they could make hats. This thought has been the inspiration for many bird and animal portraits. My current works take what I enjoyed in murals and put them onto canvas. With each painting my goal is to evoke feelings of peace, joy, and often humor. If I can positively impact someone with my art, then I have reached my ultimate goal – to serve.