Career Highlights
A Timeline of Artistic Milestones, Teaching, and Professional Achievement
From early recognition as a young artist to decades of painting, teaching, exhibiting, and community involvement, the following milestones highlight key moments in my artistic journey spanning nearly five decades. Much of this work has been devoted to preserving the beauty of Texas landscapes while sharing that knowledge with students through classes, workshops, demonstrations, and educational outreach.
Early Years
1978
Began painting and started formal art lessons with Charlotte (C.L.) Curry.
1979
Made his first art sales to neighbors, teachers, and his piano instructor.
1979
Awarded Best of Show, Junior High School Division, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Art Competition.
1980
Earned a ribbon in the Professional Division of the Waller County Fair Art Competition while still a student.
Gallery Representation & Early Teaching Career
1981
Achieved gallery representation through Regency Gallery II and became its youngest instructor, teaching youth and landscape painting classes.
1982-1983
Exhibited professionally through Hanging Tree Gallery in Midland and Kerrville, gaining visibility in the Texas art market while still in high school.
1984
Featured by the Midland Reporter-Telegram as an exceptional student, highlighting both artistic accomplishments and participation in a college-level printing technology course.
1984
Graduated from Midland High School and continued pursuing a professional career as an artist and instructor.
1985–1986
Expanded his instructional work through classes at Windmill Hobbies and House of Arts & Crafts in Midland.
1986
Accepted a teaching position at the Midland Senior Center, where he would teach and mentor senior artists for more than twenty years.
1987–1997
Taught painting classes through Paint & Palette, helping guide aspiring artists for a decade.
Professional Development
1985
Invited by Dalhart Windberg to visit his home and studio, receiving personal guidance and encouragement in the development of his artistic career.
1987
Invited by Dalhart Windberg to attend portions of a major workshop in Fredericksburg, Texas, providing additional opportunity to observe professional instruction and artistic techniques.
1988
Studied with artist Robert Pummill during a workshop at the Cowboy Artists of America Museum in Kerrville, Texas.
1989
Studied with Gary Carter and exhibited work in the Museum Workshop Participants Showcase.
1991 – Received encouragement from Jack Morris of Altermann & Morris Gallery and obtained representation through Nanette Richardson Fine Art in San Antonio.
1990s
Expanded teaching activities, gallery work, and community arts involvement.
Community Leadership & Recognition
1997-1999
Founded and operated Creative Edge Gallery, providing exhibition opportunities for regional artists while teaching painting classes and promoting arts education.
1999
Organized the American Plains Artists Juried Invitational and secured nationally recognized landscape painter Scott Christensen as juror.
2000-2010
Operated Whistle Stop Art & Music, transitioning from the gallery model of Creative Edge into a dedicated teaching studio that served students, artists, and musicians throughout the Midland community
2000
Presented first one-person exhibition at the Haley Memorial Library & History Center.
2001
Named Distinguished Artist for Celebration of the Arts. His painting The Sky’s the Limit served as the event’s official promotional image and event poster.
2002
The Sky’s the Limit was adopted by the Midland Chamber of Commerce for official member plaques.
2003
The Sky’s the Limit was selected as the official image for the Midland Chapter of SIPES Annual Convention.
Museum Exhibitions & Publications
2003-2009
Presented a series of one-person exhibitions at the Haley Memorial Library & History Center.
2004-2008
Accepted into the American Art in Miniature exhibition at the Gilcrease Museum.
2006
His painting Where the Plains Meet the Rockies, exhibited in the American Plains Artists National Juried Exhibition, was selected as the official postcard image and Great Plains Art Museum banner for the Art of the Plains exhibition and was awarded Second Place.
2009
Featured in Country Lifestyle magazine’s Texas Artist section in the article “Drawn to Light.”
2014
Artwork featured on the cover of the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center “Best of the Best” exhibition catalog.
2016
Featured in the Odessa American article “Landscapes Endlessly Fascinate.”
Continuing the Journey
2026-Present
Expanding educational outreach through plein-air-to-studio instructional videos while continuing long-term projects documenting Texas landscapes, bluebonnet regions, and historic ranchlands.
Looking Beyond the Timeline
Every milestone has a story behind it. Visit Stories & Legacy to explore the paintings, travels, workshops, teaching experiences, and memorable moments that helped shape this artistic journey.