I hail from the backwoods of the Adirondack Mountains in New York State where I had the good fortune to be surrounded by wildlife and a "baroque" tapestry of plants, fascinating geological formations, and countless streams, bogs, ponds, and lakes. The natural world fascinates me and provides the primary source of inspiration for my art. As a professional artist I maintain a gallery/studio where I paint, draw, sculpt (in stone), and do art photography. I lecture on art philosophy and frequently serve on art juries. As an educator I assist in instructing medical students about patient issues at two colleges as well as being a regular speaker/instructor on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender politics and culture for two other institutions of higher education in Syracuse. AFRICAM provides me with a welcome start to my day, enabling me to refresh my perspective on the world.