Born in Colorado and raised in Montana, Tad's love of watercolor comes from a lifetime of exploring the landscapes and chasing the birds of the American West. Shortly after receiving a BFA in Printmaking from the University of Southern Alabama, he moved back west to Arizona where he met his wife, Mary Lou. Always active in the local art community, his experience includes many outdoor festivals, juried shows and stints working as a picture framer and in an art supply store. Tad has served on the board of several local art organizations including Desert Artisans Gallery of which he was a member for 17 years. Recently he's been organizing informal paint outs with a group of friends, students, and colleagues who join him in exploring the local landscape and chasing an occasional bird.