‘I would be truly honored to teach someone how to paint.’

Sayville

“When I was a kid, I drew a lot in my spare time and my Mom took me to a community arts center in Sayville. It was a great place, and I had this teacher who was also a music teacher. She had a grand piano and while we drew, she would play classical music.

“Listening to classical music helped me stay motivated and focused and I still do that to this day. I went to Suffolk County Community College for studio art because I heard their art department was fantastic. I’ve met a bunch of amazing fellow artist students and I’ve been trained by a lot of great professors. My drawing teacher was one of the best professors I ever had. His life portraits were inspirational.

“I also had a painting professor and he’s the reason why I got into painting as well. During my first semester, I was much more of a drawer than a painter so as I went into the classes, it was a struggle.

“I was a big fan of Bob Ross and in high school, my parents surprised me with the type of easel that Bob Ross uses, and I’ve had it ever since. But I didn’t paint that much because I wasn’t that good. As I developed my skills in college, I was motivated to get more into painting.

When I draw something, I visualize the picture that I get my inspiration from and I study the details that I want to capture.

“When it comes to drawing, I draw cityscapes, like New York City because it’s my favorite city in the world and I do a lot of LIRR drawings because when I was a kid, I was really into model trains.

“When I draw something, I visualize the picture that I get my inspiration from and I study the details that I want to capture. It’s a struggle to sell them but I do have an Etsy account and I’ve sold a few pieces. I don’t let it get to me, I just give it some time and once it happens, I get super excited and much more motivated.

“I use a room in my Dad’s garage as a studio, and I hung a bunch of my paintings on the wall. It’s not easy being an artist, I wish I could do this full time. Right now, this is a hobby. Time, patience and practice help you achieve your goal.

“One of the students in my class said I should become a certified Bob Ross painting instructor. It’s a three-week training program. I think I will someday because I never stop thinking about it. I just have to give it time and prepare for it.

“I would be truly honored to teach someone how to paint.”