LIFELONG STUDENT
A collection about curiosity, practice, and the belief that there is always more to discover.
The Lifelong Student
I have always believed that becoming an artist is not about reaching a final destination.
There is always something more to see.
A new question to ask.
A technique to explore.
A painting that makes you stop and wonder, How did they do that?
This collection is a record of that ongoing journey.
It brings together studies, experiments, master copies, and works created through the simple act of paying closer attention.
Because sometimes, the best way to learn is not to rush toward creating something new.
Sometimes, we need to slow down, observe, and learn from those who came before us.
Learning From the Masters
Throughout history, artists have learned by studying other artists.
By looking closely.
By copying.
By asking questions.
What happens when this colour sits beside another?
How does light move across a face?
Why does a particular composition feel balanced?
What makes a painting continue to hold our attention hundreds of years after it was created?
My studies and master copies are not attempts to replace the original works.
They are conversations with them.
A way of stepping closer to the artist’s process and trying to understand how they saw the world.
The Artists Who Continue to Teach Me
Certain artists have remained with me throughout my journey.
From studying with Casey Baugh to learning through the work, demonstrations, interviews, and artistic philosophies of Anna Halldin-Maule, CJ Hendry, Nick Sider, Marco Grassi, and Clio Newton, I continue to be inspired by artists who generously share their knowledge and dedication to their craft.
Through master copies and close observation, I also continue to learn from artists such as Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Johannes Vermeer, and Rembrandt, whose understanding of drawing, light, composition, and craftsmanship continues to raise new questions each time I look.
Even centuries later, their paintings—and the work of artists creating today—continue to teach me something new. The more I learn, the more I realize there is still left to discover.
That is one of the reasons I believe an artist is never finished learning.
What It Means to Be a Student
Being a student does not mean that you are inexperienced.
It means remaining open.
Open to being challenged.
Open to discovering that something you thought you understood still has more to teach you.
Some of these works were created as technical studies.
Others began as experiments.
Some became complete paintings.
Others remain unfinished observations.
Together, they represent something I hope never to lose:
curiosity.
Explore the Collection
A record of Becoming
The paintings in Foundations span the formative years of my artistic development.
They include portrait studies, figurative works, explorations of light and shadow, and paintings inspired by literature, music, and the artists who captured my imagination.
Each work represents a different point in the process.
Some taught me technique.
Some taught me patience.
Some raised questions I didn’t yet know how to answer.
And some simply opened the door to the next painting.
What I'm Learning
What I Was Studying
The Question
What was I trying to understand?
What I Observed
What did I notice while studying the work?
What Surprised Me
What did I discover that I wasn’t expecting?
What I’m Still Learning
What questions remain?
The Practice of Looking
Creating these works has taught me that learning is often less about finding the right answer and more about learning how to ask better questions.
The longer I paint, the more I realize how much there is still to discover.
A single painting can contain years of observation.
A simple object can become infinitely complex when we take the time to truly look at it.
This collection is my reminder to continue doing exactly that.
To remain curious.
To practice.
To experiment.
To make mistakes.
And to keep looking.
Join the Journey
You don’t need to be a professional artist to become a lifelong student.
Maybe you are learning to draw.
Maybe you are picking up the cello for the first time.
Maybe you are returning to something you once loved.
Or perhaps you simply want to learn how to see the world differently.
Wherever you are in your journey, you are welcome here.