On a family outing to the hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs, my father, who was a dentist, made a quick stop at a patient's house in the canyon. I went with him to the man's little house. When we stepped in, we were greeted by freshly painted oil paintings all over the room. Many were of bright orange canyons and turquoise skies.  I was captured by the whole scene. Ilooked at the painting on the easel and remembered saying to myself, "I can do that!". That experience changed my life. I knew then, that I wanted to become an artist.  That man was Gerard Curtis Delano.  That Christmas I asked for an oil painting kit and was on my way.