I arrived to Houston, TX, at the shores of the Gulf in the summer of 1996 with long pants, a sweater and boots -- facing the immediate challenge of 80% humidity and 98 degrees Fahrenheit. After diving into my graphic design studies in Mannheim, Germany I felt ready to conquer the world of art. Hmmm. At least it seemed like that? In Houston TX, I met Luis Jiménez. Admiring his drawing style, I decided to polish up my drawing skills during my studies in printmaking and painting. My wife Mikaila and I visited the Jimenez family on several occasions and we even went to the Roswell Artist Compound, where he had been working for several years before renovating his Mountain Apple 'Castle.'

Houston was quite a culture shock to me. But I learned my way around the TX culture and had a great time. I met some good people along the way, such as painter Raymond Pilarczyk and Patrick Lera. 3 and 1/2 years later, and another MFA another my belt, I moved to Tucson, AZ.

Another episode of my life had just begun, without really knowing what the next 3 years would have to offer me.