Koi (and the Truly Creative Mind) Collage

I currently live on the coast of North Carolina. I have created art since I was a small child and won my first blue ribbon in the 4th grade for a county-wide art exhibit. I take a camera with me everywhere I go and like to paint from my own photographs. I have often stopped on the side of the road to photograph an unusual cloud formation or beautiful sunset. While some artists may view the world as ugly and horrible, I do not like to paint "ugly" art. I believe that art, like literature, should be a form of "escape" from an ugly world. I like to evoke a pleasant emotion through my art such as a feeling of calm or a happy memory.... I also like to travel-I am inspired by colorful Caribbean sunsets, palm trees blowing in the breeze, ocean tides, Tuscany hill towns .... I occasionally paint abstracts but mostly paint representational art using bold bright colors. My preferred medium is acrylic paint, but I sometimes branch out into watercolors or mixed media. My favorite artists: Michelangelo, Monet, Pollock....