Artist Kip Decker paints colorful rural and nature scenes. Inspired by the places he has lived, he creates in a style he describes as lyrical expressionism. Part of his time growing up was on and near farms in upstate New York, and the hills of California and South Carolina, where he now resides. "Over the years, I have taken numerous photos and done many drawings of the country," shares Kip. After Kip obtained his Masters in Fine Arts he taught college art for ten years. His decade-long experience as an art teacher, in turn, trained him to see art objectively, especially in critiquing work. His home studio, located in his basement, is a creative haven. He diligently works on his art, sometimes amidst a creative mess. When he is not painting, he savors spending time with his family and finds solace in bird-watching from a small lake across his street.