Being animal crazy starts early...

During the remodel of my studio, I came across these photos taken by my brother when I was just a wee one. As far back as I can remember, animals have played a huge role in my life. Isn't it appropriate that I would eventually become an animal artist? To the credit of my parents, they indulged me with almost anything I wanted. (Even though I never got that tiger I always wanted) And to my credit, I was not one of those kids who begged for a pet and when the "newness" wore off, stopped caring for them. Walking the dogs, playing with the cats, and grooming the horses was my pleasure. I rushed home after school to be with these friends of mine.

This is a photo of me and one of the coon dogs from the movie, "Where the Red Fern Grows". The movie was shot near the area we lived in Oklahoma and I am sure this was a promotional gig set up by the producers. I have always been a "dog" person, not that I don't like cats, but there is something about dogs that I find so endearing and I connect with.I have no idea where this was, or what horse this was, but I do know that if there was a horse looking for a passenger, I was all for it. I am sure that this pony had a dozen or more obnoxious kids on his back every day, but I am happy to be there and I am sure that I let him pack me around without any argument.

I posted these pictures only to show that as artists, we are affected by our passions and our experiences. It is obvious where my passions started and have remained.If you are a parent, I offer this advice...do not try to squash the passions, however fleeting, of your children. You have no idea where they will lead...