A large bramble of blackberries growing wild in the yard of our home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia inspired the name for our property, The Bryarpatch. In that beautiful home and location I honed my skills in drawing and painting. Driven by a lifelong passion for creating I’ve spent years mastering the precision, depth, and contrast found through graphite pencil and charcoal drawing. As a self-taught artist I’ve built a reputation for capturing the likeness of my subjects, as well, hopefully, their quiet essence. The portrait doesn’t just look like the person, it feels like the loved one.

Our recent move to the coast has sparked a profound artistic evolution. Inspired by the dynamic light, shifting tides, and vibrant atmosphere of coastal living, I have expanded my practice into the world of oil painting. This transition marks an exciting fusion of sharp, self-taught skills to obtain detail, with the rich, fluid textures of color and oil mediums. I’m working to create a more loose and expressive feeling in my work so the paintings look less like a photo, but feel much deeper, and evoke a sense of peace. I want to invite the viewer to pause, reflect, and appreciate the world’s simple pleasures.

Artistic Philosophy

• Precision Meets Fluidity: Translating structured graphite techniques into expressive, layered oil brushwork.
• Coastal Inspiration: Documenting the relationship between brilliant coastal light, water, and shoreline life.
• Atmospheric Realism: Creating deep, immersive windows into peaceful coastal moments.

Mediums & Expertise

• Graphite Pencil: Fine detail work, high-contrast portraits.
• Oil Painting: Seaside figures,  seascape lighting, and textured coastal flora.