He worked on fishing boats for a while, and then moved to San Francisco at the age of 20.
Although he had no formal training in art, he found work as a billboard painter.
He joined the advertising agency of Lord & Thomas in 1931, and transferred to the company's New York City office in 1939.
These paintings were of wildlife scenes as well as some depicting famous foresters such as Aldo Leopold and William B. Greeley.
He also illustrated many books over the course of his life, and was a member of the founding faculty for the Famous Artists School.