I studied art at the Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore MD.
The Institute was a classical school during the four years that I was there. I’m quite sure of that because of all the hours I spent copying old masters drawings. Today the Institute is considered one of the most avant garde and conceptual art schools in the country. Like most institutions, change of administration and faculty can also bring about change in philosophy.

My personal philosophy about art is simple. If a piece of art holds up artistically (good drawing, composition, use of materials etc...) and also connects with people then somebody did something right. The latter is the most important, in my opinion. Art that is technically spectacular can still be without soul. It is like walking into a beautiful house that is so perfect that you are afraid to sit on the sofa. Stand back and watch people as they view a piece of art. It’s pretty obvious if there is any connecting going on.

The process of making a painting is similar to writing a story. The writer has an idea but he doesn’t necessarily know how the story will end. The story reveals itself as he writes… and rewrites and rewrites. A story writes itself. A painting paints itself.

N. Hoffmann

Favorite Atist: Edward Hopper

Favorite Quote: "Nothing happens until something moves."
Albert Einstein