At this time, I am still learning, and one of my exercises is to copy or emulate a certain favorite artist. A month or so ago, I was using Van Gogh's palette, sometimes its Caravaggio's chirascuro work, etc.

How often do you get to paint?

I paint when the spirit moves me. And right now, it ain't moving.

Sometimes I go through spells when I just draw, when I just write, when I just paint. Right now, I'm reading a lot. I happened on a place that has lots of English books and when I moved here a month ago I selected a spot outside to read and haven't budged since. I must have read about 15 or so books so far. However, I visited an art store today, I have about 15 canvases ready to go and so this next week, I will be painting.

What's your ratio of commissions vs. non-commissioned paintings?

50/50. For commissions, I usually get portrait jobs and a lot of requests for Italian landscapes (at the moment).

What's your favorite medium to work in?

I have a preference for oil in paintings because I like the effect. When I get back home, I'll try acrylic. Right now, it doesn't make sense to have two sets of colors, brushes, etc.

With watercolors, I'm like a child, and it's so light and warm that it never fails to put a smile on my face. I like using ink for the outlines and then using watercolors. It's special.

I also like charcoal for sketches, nude and portraits, and I also enjoy pastels, but that's too messy and too expensive right now.

Where were you trained, or are you self-taught?

I took two semesters of drawing in an atelier in San Diego, but most of this is self-taught from books, from direct observation, and from stealing from other peoples' techniques. As they say, "good artists copy, great artists steal!" :)

There is also a well of information on the web with regard to technique, especially the academic techniques of David and Ingres. But I really learn a lot when I get an opportunity to visit paintings that inspire me and just stand there and meditate on technique, composition, balance, color, etc.

Has your bus broken down yet?

Yes with a capital $! It broke down three times, and they were all costly jobs: a starter needed to be replaced in Holland, a generator needed to be repaired in Biarritz, and a new motor was needed in Northern France.

It doesn't help, either, when you walk to a mechanic completely exhausted and helpless with a look of, 'Hey I'm a foreigner, go to town!' French mechanics have a reputation, you see....

Do you work from real life, photos, memory? All three?

All three. I prefer to work in plein-air. That's when I capture the light, the colors and values the best. It's also good to be out in nature or a town and just painting on a sunny day with a bottle of wine and cheese for mini-breaks. And when people smile a hello and say that your paintings are good, that part is dessert.