It has been one heck of a ride. Since 2012 I have attended over 50 major national plein air events, and won top awards in about half of them. These highlights don't give you the full picture because you can't see the many wonderful paintings that I was in competition with.
I've heard it explained that there is a searching soul in my work and this has the effect of surprising judges and fellow artists year after year. Some artists are really good at being consistent, but I seem to be never satisfied. It's difficult for me to ever do the same thing twice when I can see there is a lifetime of options available before me.
All that to say, I'm blessed to have had some notoriety in this sea of gifted painters that surround me.