I grew up in Suffolk, Virginia. I chose to illustrate my life experiences through my art. This is emphasized due to the era of growing up in a rural environment in the early sixties when civil rights was at the height of everyone’s agenda, especially African Americans. Like many of my neighbors, I grew up in a single parent household. My mother stressed two things; education and being a productive citizen. This was to ensure that one day I would give back to the community that molded me as a kid. My mother purchased me my first paint by numbers set which was the start to expressing my life on canvas. I have no formal training but was given a gift from God as a self-taught artist.
After graduation from John F. Kennedy High in Suffolk, I joined the United States Marine Corps in 1979 and served 3 years where my curiosity for different cultures was formed. I took advantage of every opportunity to paint and show my artwork; whether church murals, signage and logos on barber shop windows, murals on the walls of residences and participation in local art shows. I am fortunate that my home state of Virginia embraces visual art and provides a creative environment for up and coming artists.