I am originally from the state of Pennsylvania and have lived in Illinois for nearly two decades. Along the way I have been blessed with an amazing and beautiful daughter. I have also lost many close people to have become an independent single father. In spite of all that comes with our non-typical lifestyle, I try my best to enjoy life and keep a humble appreciation for all things including the many incredible people I know. Hobbies include drawing and photography with special emphasis on weather and the natural world. Despite my somewhat obsessive fascination with atmospheric phenomena as there is plenty to see in Central Illinois, I stay close to home and have yet to roam the Plains in the true sense of classic storm chasing. My work has been used by the National Weather Service in statewide storm spotter training and I have been fortunate to volunteer with local EMA on post event surveying for the purpose of procuring regional disaster assistance. As for creative pursuits, though I dabbled with art for much of life, I began to take drawing serious in 1994 and am self taught. The most formidable period for development in this area was when I worked third shift for a Pennsylvania gas station during the mid 90's and would push a pencil to pass the time. Relocating to Illinois where there wasn't as much to do versus back east, my drawing productivity surged from 1997 through about 2007 then leveled off. I have produced many works in pencil and colored pencil though my output has waned in recent years due to time constraints and other factors. My interest in digital photography began in 2003 with the purchase of a little 1 megapixel pencam from which I upgraded to a digicam in 2004 and then finally an SLR in 2007. I never really set out to be an artist, photographer or weather nerd but it just ended up this way and especially once I experienced Midwest skies for the first time. People are always looking for their purpose but I am convinced that ours is to simply listen with a quiet heart and allow the spirit to work through us for the betterment of existence. Not an easy task but then again is anything in life? p
