In November 1998 I attended the Death Valley 49ers Encampment and Invitational Western Art Show at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, and submitted my work for acceptance in the 1999 show. My contact with the 49'ers produced two immediate effects on my painting: I now had subject matter from Death Valley vicinity as well as the East Mojave, and from 1999 on, all canvasses are dated as well as signed.

Unfortunately, my newfound businesslike approach did not extend to the taking of record photos. I do not have a complete record of my paintings from 1999-2002, for some sold sooner than expected, before I thought to photograph them.