When I was young I did a lot of drawing, and it came natural to me. By the time I finished high school and throughout my twenties I wasn’t doing any art. I was more interested in experiencing things first hand. I spent my time living it up and exploring the mountains in Canada, always wanting to go further and more remote.

During and after high school I was a residential/commercial painter working for my father’s company. I learned a lot during that time and it gave me a good work ethic. In my mid-twenties I wanted a change and decided to travel. I ended up moving to Europe to start modelling. I was never really interested in fashion but saw it as a good opportunity to have a different kind of adventure. I really enjoyed working and travelling all over Europe. While working on a short film for Vogue Italia I met a Dutch model who I eventually married. I always missed the rugged landscape of my home in Canada, so we eventually moved back to my hometown of Golden B.C. to start a life there.

I never forgot about art, knowing that someday it would be something I'd do. Once we moved to Canada I felt like it was time for me to start painting. I was ready to dedicate myself to it. The first time I picked up a paint brush other than for painting houses was in 2016. I was 30 years old and the concept of painting canvases was totally new to me. I knew this would be my medium and I would learn to get good at it. I decided to make art my career.

It starts with a moment that inspires me, whether that is when I'm hiking up a mountain and see a dramatic landscape or when I see some interesting light coming through the trees. Nature is my main inspiration. I love how, if you look for it, you can find the most beautiful abstract lines and shapes that flow together so perfectly. Once I'm inspired I come up with the idea, and this is the most important aspect of the process in my opinion. If the idea isn't right then it doesn't matter what you do to the painting; it won't work. I'll spend a while figuring out my composition by doing different sketches of the idea, always thinking of the light source and how I'll bring depth to my painting.

I try to convey a mood or feeling with my work. I'm not trying to just showcase an animal or a landscape but show a moment that is special to me. Although my works are detailed, detail is the least important aspect of my painting. I want people to see my pieces and feel like they are seeing something for the first time. I like to create something I feel is different while being true to what exists in nature.

Conservation is important to me and this is another aspect I bring to my work. Through my paintings and donations I’m trying to raise awareness with art to protect wildlife and the places they call home. Our planet is changing and there are so many small changes happening alongside the obvious ones that I'm trying to show with my work.

It hasn't been that long since I first picked up a paint brush and decided to pursue a full time art career, and I've never been happier. I'm learning a lot as I go. With every piece I'm finding out more about the direction I want to go in. I find myself drawn to creating big pieces. Every painting is a challenge and I will continue to keep pushing myself and my ideas.