My animal paintings (except the gorilla and african lion) are based on photographs I took of several North American species at the "Capturing the Essence Wildlife Art Workshop" led by award-winning wildlife artist Julie Chapman, held at Triple "D" Game Farm in Kalispell, Montana (located just outside Glacier National Park). I sketched and took photographs at close range (15 feet or less) of the animals in their natural habitat: woods, rock outcroppings, meadows. These -- and photographs that I have taken on my extensive travels over the years -- serve as inspiration and reference for my paintings.