It's the age of computer art and AI, and it looks like technology has passed me by. I am still using brushes and painting with oils, acrylics, and watercolors. I started in 1982, when I needed Christmas gifts for my sisters, and had decided to paint portraits from photos of their dogs using canvas panels, paints, and brushes that were given to me by an artist friend. I had no idea it would become a lifetime learning experience and the source of many quiet moments reflecting on life and the relationships I've had over the years. I still find myself coming up with different art projects just for the opportunity to sit in front of a blank canvas and start painting.

Years ago, I began writing stories about growing up in northern New Jersey when it could still be considered a rural area. It was a great way to bring back a lot of memories that I would have otherwise not given much thought to. Some of the stories go beyond my childhood, but the same spirit of adventure and freedom that characterized my early years never left me.

I self-published the stories on Amazon, and some of my favorites can be read here on the Stories page.  

Contact: skipvanlenten@gmail.com