I like to paint from experience. Much of my inspiration comes from things that I do or places I have been (or in some cases, would like to be).

This painting titled “A Teachable Moment,” is a good example. It is based on my recent experience during adult sailing school at the Boca Ciega Yacht Club where I am a member, and in this case, a boat instructor. I am not a natural teacher, but I know sailing and enjoy conveying my knowledge and love of the water to others. Unfortunately sailing comes easy to me. It is very intuitive. So I struggle with a student who just does not get it.

Such is the case in this image. I am the one holding onto the starboard rail as I am using the opportunity to explain some of the rules of the road to my student, who is at the helm. Specifically, we are discussing right of way, which we do not have. This particular student was quite a challenge in many ways. While we avoided a collision with the other training sailboat, I hope this student and I never meet on the water in separate crafts.

I caught this image of my granddaughter while she was visiting us in Florida. We were all out for a nice family dinner at a beach-side restaurant, but this child was not cooperating at all. She insisted on running around along the shoreline and between the many other people who had assembled to watch the sun set, sometimes escaping from our sight even as we chased after her. Quite defiant to any instructions we might give her, she was nothing but trouble that night.