But, bills still have to be paid on time. In 1972 I received a BFA degree from the University of Utah with a painting and drawing emphasis. I experimented with nonrepresentational and bold impressionistic painting styles, but I had a strong background in classical realism under the tutelage of Alvin Gittens. I espoused this philosophy for several years until the loss of a place to paint and the need to make a living became a reality. I've married the use of photography and working from life to create my images.
Photographs are flat.
To truly see and paint a subject, you need to see it from all angles. Photographic colors are not true. The scope of what the human eye sees is not pictured in a photograph. I am glad of the rich rigid training I received. I learned to see and apply what I see.