Born of an artistic family, I never thought I had the patience to paint and didn't attempt it until 2010.  Now I have patience for nothing else.  I paint primarily landscapes, backyard birds or water birds, and animals from our own photos and from our travels, in either oils or acrylics.  I love both mediums; acrylics more for landscapes and oils for everything else.  I want my paintings to evoke a smile and a sense of happiness and peace for the viewer.  I do not try to make a statement with my work.  There's enough of that.  I just want to portray relief from the everyday pressures of life and the beauty of God's creation.