I am a native of New Mexico and grew up in an outdoor type family. I have been drawing and painting all of my life. I try very hard to capture the nature of the animal I am doing, and to put the animal in the right setting. I really hate to see a beautifully done painting of an animal with a great winter coat in a summer setting. No matter how well it is done -- it;s still wrong. That goes for any painting or drawing, KNOWING YOUR SUBJECT IS VERY IMPORTANT. I am not formally trained, but I have had the pleasure of some workshops with some of the top wildlife artists of this time.