A very recent self portrait. Not the most flattering picture, but its the real me.

I'm a retired computer programmer and commercial systems designer. I've been involved in programming computers and designing computer business systems for going on 35 years. I was just reflecting on the past and wondering what damage I did in those 35 years.

Married with five children and five grandchildren. No greatchildren yet, and nothing on the immediate horizon.BIOSince I retired eight years ago I have become interested in and involved with all aspects of art and artists. I didn't begin to draw or paint until was in my middle sixties, when, during an extended illnes, I began to pass the time drawing and sketching things around me and copying drawings from art books and magazines.

In the ten years since those days, I have developed an interest in watercolor painting, and in the last year, digital painting. I currently use PSP version 7, and after the first of the year version 9 as my digital painting software and as my digital darkroom.

I also have a long and enduring fasination with photography as you will discover in my gallery. I grew up as a darkroom fanatic and every chance I had, I would bury myself in the nearest darkroom, even while I was in the navy. (needless to say that put a severe crimp in my social life.) Now the digital darkroom has become a source of constant exploration and discovery for me, not to mention a frequent source of irritation to my wife. Needless to say, Digital cameras have added years to my life. "you can't pass on yet," I tell myself each morning, LOL. "You have one more picture to take and one more digital image to create."

I feel I am still a developing artist, both in my digital art and my paper and canvas work.I still have long way to go, but I'm working on it.

Because of my great love of animals much of my painting involves animals, expecially the big cats like lions, cougars etc. But all animals are interesting subjects for painting, photography and drawing.

I also enjoy painting and photographing plants and flowers, especially those that grow in the wild. As a child with few other children to play with, (I grew up in the preteen years on a farm, and there weren't a lot playmates around,)I found a cure for my loneliness by roaming the woods and swamps around our farm.

I became a real swamp rat early in my young life and I still am. I continue to slog through the muck and water and the woods and fields in search of image opportunities, and I love it.

Oh well, Maybe I'll grow up someday, but I sure hope not.

Thanks for stopping by.

Chazzy