The local art league in Douglaston, NY allowed me to enter the adult oil painting classes when I was 11. The children’s class was ridiculous with kids running around acting up. I think they were only there so their parents could have a peaceful Saturday morning. I was there to learn to be the best artist I could become.

A visit to my grandparents in Oceanside, California allowed me to spend time with my great aunt and uncle fine artists Julia and David Greenwood. They gave me encouragement and art lessons which taught me more in a month then I learned in the previous years at the local art league.

As a WAC Julia painted recruitment posters for the WWII war effort. Dave fought in the war. They were an attractive couple who loved and painted together for over 60 years. When Julia died Dave was so despondent, he never painted again.

Aunt Julia had said, “Never be satisfied with your work or you will not improve!” I took it to heart and always look with a critical eye to see what I can do better next time. Praise for an artist is great but sound advice is much better.

I wish I had grown up in Carlsbad, California where Julia and Dave lived so I could have benefitted from their instruction and kind interest. Instead, I was in NYC where the art college I attended taught pretty much nothing and students were given assignments and not much in the way of instruction.

Aunt Julia had given me the confidence to improve and many of the instructions I needed to do so. Most of the teachers at the art college were abstract artists who did not have the skills to teach how to draw or paint realistic figures, portraits or landscapes. I was not given constructive criticism: I was criticized for not painting abstractly.

I finished my B.F.A. and worked very hard to create the best body of work I could. I continue to do so today. Getting instruction from an accomplished artist one on one was the best instruction.

I will always be grateful her for the valuable help she gave. I wish she and Uncle Dave were still here to see the progress I have made and how their investment in me was worth their time and effort. Below see photos of them in their studio.