I paint in oils on wood panels and draw with conte crayon and pastel on drafting film. My work concentrates on the commercial architectural settings such as strip malls and big box stores. These types of settings are common in the suburban landscape and highlight the culture of consumerism and convenience in which we live. I find these subjects in my surroundings visually appealing due to the quality of light, evidence of time and human impact, implication of metaphor and narrative, and arrangement of the formal design elements. Photographic references are the source images as they allow me capture a wide range of subjects, views, and the specificity of the place. Drawing is an important part of my process. I'll start by making small sketches and will also create larger value drawings. The process of drawing allows me to discover the proportions, values, and placement of shapes, while also experimenting with marks and textures. Through the process of both drawing and painting the works are created with hopes of capturing the mood and overall visual qualities of the scene. For the past 5 summers I have been able to return to working plein air through teaching a landscape drawing and painting class. Through teaching I have reconnected with the experience of working from life which I find to be deeply personal, engaging, and challenging. Painting plein air has influenced my studio practice by adding directness and vitality to my painting process.