Science

I studied physics in college. I did not get far, never got a degree, but I learned more about painting realistic landscapes from physics than from any art classes. Physics taught me about light, color, and the other elements of landscape painting, but most importantly, I learned to look at the world rationally. If I can understand the light in a scene, then I can create light in my painting of the scene. A clear understanding of the real world is embedded in my work. Specific knowledge about different areas of scientific study, such as glaciology, geology, and marine biology to name a few, allows me to see the forms and colors found in nature more clearly. Even though I am not a scientist, knowledge of the sciences has been very important in my work. During most of my career as an artist, I have traveled with scientists to many amazing places, either as an artist in residence, or in some science support role. My association with scientists not only gives me access to the remote landscapes that inspire me, but also gives me access to a lot of knowledge about the real world.