"If I had not grown up on a small farm intwining my young roots with the organic fibers and rythms of the earth, I would not be ale to paint the landscape as comfortably as I do. It's on and around the working farms where I still feel most at home, and, where I am most deeply connected with the magic of life's cycles. There is much that goes into a painting, but, first and foremost the artist must understand his subject thoroughly. Then, the emotion and appreciation the artist feels for the scene can be creatively projected through the more formal elements of the picture."