I am from the colorful and lively culture of South Louisiana. My Cajun, French speaking family owned shrimp boats. Growing up, I spent most of my Summers along the Gulf coast learning the commercial shrimping business. During that time the American seafood industry was thriving. My Grandfather owned a 58 ft. cypress vessel built in Biloxi, MS which he later sold to my Dad. He then owned a 60 ft. cypress shrimping vessel built in Dulac, LA and named it, "Lady Lillian", after my Grandma. It was a beautiful vessel that was photographed from a helicopter off the Coast of Biloxi, Ms. and then sold on postcards in shops across the Gulf coast titled "Shrimp Boat at Anchor".  It can still be found online. My Dad named his boat,  "Crystal Kelly" after my sister and I. It was a privilege to work on them both. One day while I was scrubbing the deck of the Crystal Kelly, my Dad told me, " Do a good job scrubbing this boat Son, someday this will be your boat!"  After hearing that, I remember being on the back deck of the shrimp boat, talking to God. I asked Him if it was possible, I would like to be an Artist. As much as I loved and appreciated a life on the water, my heart was in creating and painting

I have lived along the Gulf Coast throughout my life, so most of my art reflects the beauty, culture and diversity of this coastal area.  I have been inspired to paint ever since I was a child. I can remember seeing an artist working at a festival when I was about seven years old. I told my Mom, "This is what I want to do when I grow up". I loved art so much that I got in trouble many times in school for drawing in class. As a teenager, I would steer my famliy's boats with my feet while sketching. I prayed in hopes that one day I could become a professional Artist. Later I worked with my uncle Gary on a crew boat in the oilfield and when my work was finished for the day, I painted art for the crew in the heat of the engine room with diesel engines screaming. I would  paint even when we were rocking around in rough seas offshore. After becoming an Artist, I decided to paint a painting of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His life and teachings are the greatest inspiration to me. I painted it in the confined cabin of my sailboat. It was featured on the front page of my hometown's newspaper, The Houma Daily Courier. It was titled "Former Shrimper credits God and Uncle with Career as Artist". Sometimes I am inspired by my travels to the Caribbean. Seeing the world from the land above, and the water below has offered an abundance of treasure to work from. Now, I can paint almost anywhere, though it's usually along the Gulf Coast. I reside in Santa Rosa Beach which has given me innumerable amounts of spectacular scenery to paint from. The views are beautiful even when it rains.  I still get a flood of enthusiasm from just the Power of painting.  I believe a good place to paint is wherever I can.    

                                           John 1:3 KJV