I grew up emulating my Dad who had inbred talent and gifted hands, whether whittling from a block of wood or wielding a paint brush. He was a very talented watercolor artist, specializing in "roses" and "game fish" such as rainbow trout. Though I dabbled with oils, and acrylics, my primary interest was in watercolors. Somewhere back in the 90's while working and raising a family and reaching for goals, and yes sometimes just surviving, I lost that creative desire and the inbred “artistic feel” that allowed me to create without benefit of conscious thought. I felt that with retirement I would be able to paint again but it was not meant to be. There are many aborted starts lying around. I have now discovered the wonderful medium of colored pencils for fine art. My first attempt was a simple piece just as a learning exercise and to give me a feel for the medium, but I now think I have finally broken through that brick wall. Possibly, just possibly, now I can get those 30 or so paintings that have been rattling around in my head down on paper or canvas. I was honored to have Colored Pencil Magazine choose my first piece, "Nectarine Paired Pear" to publish in their December 2013 edition.