My journey as a painter began one summer in the Hamptons. After long days working in the kitchen at a local restaurant, I would return to the cottage late at night to find visiting artists gathered around the table, immersed in their work. Their focus, the smell of linseed oil, and the quiet exchange of ideas lingered in the air. It was in that atmosphere of creative energy that I was inspired to paint my first canvas — a simple bouquet of flowers.
Before that summer, I had experimented with whatever materials were available — household paints, old doors, paper bags — anything that would hold color. But through these artists, I was introduced to professional tools: fine oil paints, stretched canvases, and quality brushes. Each artist who came and went would leave behind a few supplies, allowing me to slowly build my own collection.
By the end of that season, I had not only gathered the tools of the trade but also discovered a lasting commitment to the creative process. That summer marked the true beginning of my life as an artist — a turning point where curiosity became craft, and experimentation evolved into a lifelong pursuit.