About the Artist
About the Artist
Growing Up
Born and raised in Oregon, I still vividly recall my first real wilderness trip. It was 1989 and I was five. My dad and I sat at the campfire in the Diamond Peak Wilderness, listening to the song of coyotes echoing from the ridge across the lake as we watched the stars crawl across the sky deep into the night. Although I had been camping and hiking since I was old enough to walk, this experience filled me with a raw and untamed sense of adventure that was unlike anything I had ever felt before.
In grade school, I discovered drawing and connected immediately with this art form, bringing my sketch pad with me everywhere. I brought it on weekend family backpacking trips. I brought it on our hikes. I covered my homework with drawings and, although I drew all sorts of things (lots of super heroes and aliens), I always came back to scenes from the natural world. I enjoyed spying on squirrels and birds, sitting by creeks or in a mossy forest glade, and drawing what I observed. The artwork and sense of quiet meditation I felt when creating were equally inspiring. It was as though everything except the moment just slipped away.
"I have always been fascinated by landscape and wildlife paintings. Growing up, this seemed like it must be the ultimate pinnacle of artistic achievement." - Brendan
Learning to paint
Eventually I was brave enough to paint my first landscape but had no idea how to begin. How could I possibly paint all these details? How would I layer? How could I make shadow and light look convincing? Well...it didn't really, at first. But I was determined and kept at it. It became an addiction, a personal challenge, and slowly but surely technique fell into place and things began to move along naturally.
My love for art
One of the things I love most about art is there is no end to the possibilities. I look at every one of my pieces as a chance to expand my horizons and practice something new. I find that passionate artwork conveys an unspoken communication and mine speaks in inspirational scenes of wild landscapes and the creatures that call them home.
Today
I still reside in Oregon and am grateful to live so close to the things I enjoy most. I spend most of my time hiking, backpacking and skiing and always have my camera with me. It only seems natural to paint scenes I have personally photographed and thereby share my journeys with you through color on canvas. The beauty of the wild and remote landscapes I explore moves me, keeps me grounded, and helps me appreciate both the small and grand details of life.
