What sparks my reaction to an interesting subject is the light and atmosphere associated with it. Most of my paintings are inspired by photographs I've taken near my home or during my travels abroad. I always enjoyed art classes in high school. However, in college, I chose to pursue a career in physics. Recently retired after 45 years of teaching physics, I now take the time to appreciate painting and life drawing. I owe my renewed interest in art to Ross Patterson, my oil painting instructor in Australia when I was on sabbatical. He rekindled my desire to paint.