I began oil painting around 1970 when I lived in San Antonio, Texas. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Jose Vives-Atsara around that time and visit with him in his studio. He was working on a large painting commissioned by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce for presentation to B.J, "Red " McCombs. Jose was already an internationally known and collected artist and and was so gracious to talk with me about his approach to painting. This painting, El Barrio, is the first painting I created after watching Jose paint. I think it shows the impact he had on me then and shows up in my painting style today 47 years later.

I entered El Barrio in the River Art Group show in 1973, judged by nationally recognized artist Dalhart Windberg. It was awarded "Best of Show".