about me

Born in San Francisco, I liked to draw, and at an early age painted in oils from nature. I was inspired by artists: my parents Mireille and Phil Wood, my grandfather Gottardo Piazzoni, cousin Russ Chatham and great-uncle Maurice del Mué, among many others. 

As teenagers during summers at the family's property in Carmel Valley, my cousin Russ and I would paint the land  around us: oaks and canyons, barns and fences – and tack our paintings on the wall of the ranch house, an impromptu rural art gallery. 

Earning a B.A. (University of California Berkeley) and an M.A. (San Francisco State University) in English, I taught college composition and literature for several years in New York and California. I also worked in educational media and photography, and was active in theater and music. 

Since the 1980s, I've exhibited in numerous one-man and group shows. I live in Marin County, California.

I paint on location, using some outdoor work as a basis for larger studio canvases. Through accuracy of observation, I want to create the visual equivalent of being in the landscape.