For the past 18 years I have worked in the securities industry, crunching numbers, watching the stock market and helping folks retire early.

For many years I have searched for that perfect creative outlet -- a way to access and train the other side of my brain - the part that does not deal in numbers and equations. While I continue my financial work, I now feel that I am able to let my creativity out in new and different ways.

I love the outdoors: trees, lakes, and the colorful stuff that pops out of my garden. Nature and all its beauty are a big inspiration when it comes to my art. I am most fortunate that my home studio has a full wall of windows where I can look out into my yard and into the 100 acres of woods behind my home, and see so many trees and wildlife.

I guess what drew me to encaustic wax painting is the deep texture, and I love texture - both visual and tactile. Not only does encaustic wax painting allow me the opportunity to create a piece of art with the fabulous texture I adore, but it produces some very vibrant colors, and in some of its forms it creates incredible depth.

I'm often asked if I begin each painting with a particular image in mind. Often times the answer is "yes", however, I am learning to trust the creative process and not try to control the piece's journey to completion - sometimes a real challenge for a number-cruncher like me.