I am a 67-year-old post-impressionist acrylic painter currently dividing my time between Wilmington, North Carolina—where my wife, Eleanor Topping and I own a gallery called Soda Pop Gallery—and Freeville, New York, where we’re in the process of restoring an 1832 timber-frame church. Located just five miles from Ithaca, this historic structure once served as the town’s community center. We are bringing it back to life as a new gallery, event space and home that will blend art, history, and community.
My journey as an artist began in Connecticut, where I earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of running a gallery and jewelry store in Provincetown, Massachusetts for nine years and later in Key West, Florida for two. These experiences deeply informed my sense of color, composition, and connection to place.
My work is rooted in post-impressionism, exploring light, movement, and the emotional resonance of everyday scenes. I work primarily in acrylic, drawn to its immediacy and boldness. I find inspiration in both the architecture and the landscapes that surround me, always seeking the harmony between natural beauty and human-made form.
Creating art has been a lifelong pursuit, but transforming a historic space into a living, breathing creative hub feels like a culmination. My goal is to foster a place where artists and the community can gather, connect, and find inspiration—just as I have through every canvas and corner of this evolving journey.