Can you tell us about your background and what initially drew you to the world of art? Were there any significant influences or experiences in your early years that shaped your decision to become an artist?

I grew up in the days of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Peter Max. My parents loved and encouraged the arts, so as a child I had art lessons, music practice, and was in theater. I was just a kid who liked to make stuff and do things. In high school my art teacher was very encouraging. I didn’t really like many of the classes except art, band, and drama. Art was a time you could make whatever you wanted, and you could imagine anything. The assignment to “paint whatever you want” worked for me.