In the winter of 1979 I quit art school and took a trip to Mexico. I planned to paint and live as simply as possible. I arrived at dawn on the deck of a ferry in the beautiful bay of Puerto Vallerta, with dolphins jumping and the water so clear you could see the huge manta rays swimming along side below the ship. Disembarking, I proceeded to make my way south of the city to a small bay, Boca de Tomatlan, where I was able to rent a palapa for a few pesos a night. The only problem was that I had to wade across the river to get to my place and my only company were a couple of large iquanas and some birds. The location was paradise, however, with an emerald river leading to a white beach delineating the tropical forest from a deep blue-green ocean. I began to paint.
I spent a month at Boca and then moved to the town of Puerto Vallerta. Selling drawings at a café table one afternoon, I was approached by the waitress to do a drawing for her. I did and asked her for payment. She was a little surprised, but gave me a few pesos and I took her to dinner. We have two grown children, now. I have continued to paint and she has continued to pay for it. In the meantime, I also completed my education in the arts at California State University, Chico, and added a graduate degree with teaching credentials.
