I am an accomplished visual artist. I have been painting, and drawing seriously since 1986. I work primarily in oils; I started working with digital media when I couldn’t afford canvas and paint. I spent four years in Toronto, Ontario working with three other artists from Victoria BC, Canada; our group was called "The New Victorians". We worked out of a large studio, painting for three months, and then holding a two week exhibition to show, and sell our featured pieces. Our group eventually broke apart, and I returned to Victoria in 1992. I married in 1994, moved to Grande Prairie, Alberta for one year, and then moved to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1995 where I lived; working as a Cook, Security Officer, and caterer for the next eleven years. My wife and I divorced in 2003. During this time I attempted to end my life at least three times. I spent the next three years working as a security officer at a large beef kill plant. I moved back to Victoria in 2006, and spent the next five years working as a security officer at a major TV station (A News), and as a night stock person at a new Super Centre department store. During this entire period of time (1992-2011) I produced little to no work. In the late part of 2010, and the beginning of 2011 I fell into the deepest depression I have ever experienced, and attempted to end my life more than five times in a period of four weeks. It was then that I was hospitalized, and spent the following two months under the care of the Doctors, and Nurses at Erik Martin Pavilion in Victoria. It was there that I re-discovered my passion and love of painting, and drawing. It was there that I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, after 30 years of ups and downs. I deeply appreciate the doctors and nurses who cared for me with compassion, and took the time to sit with me and talk. Now that my life is becoming more balanced, my art helps me to stay grounded and hopefully it will help me to express my life experiences. I am slowly getting back into oils. I like their incredible texture and love slathering a lot of paint on the canvas, but then still being able to scrape it off and rework it. I often start a piece by picking a colour that appeal to me; and then streaking a single line, or simple shape on the canvas. Once the first image is down, the next images follow.