Backpacking Trip Print

I dabbled in painting 30 years ago in college. My dad (who is not a formal art teacher but is a fantastic painter and the best natural teacher I know) taught me all about technique and composition. Then... I took many years off as life happened. About 6 years ago I was completely obsessed with judo. All I wanted to talk about was judo. This throw, that submission - it was an obsession. So finally, after witnessing the glassy-eyed look from friends and family every time I took the conversation in that direction, I decided to channel that passion into painting. The subject: a judo throw. Left-handed uchi-mata to be specific. With digital photography, I was able to share my progress with my dad and solicit his advice even though we live 3 hours apart. It turned out pretty good for not having painted in so long and rekindled a shared interest with my dad. So I started doing paintings that were fueled by my different interests and passions. A boxing glove and a boxer, backpacking equipment, then my kids, my wife, anything meaningful to me. My passion for painting is now at least equal to my passion for judo. Two years ago I decided to combine interests again when I took my very first electric guitar, rebuilt it and painted my original artwork on it. It went from just collecting dust to being my main guitar that I play. It gets a lot of attention when I play out. I now have done many of these for customers wanting a unique instrument with original artwork. I am building and painting guitars and still painting on canvas and it all started from an unusual passion for judo.