Herb's career was in art supplies. For decades he covered the southeastern U.S. in vans and pickup trucks filled with samples, representing art companies to artists, galleries, college bookstores, and mom & pop art supply stores. From eastern Tennessee throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and northern Florida, he spent the weeks on the road, his radio tuned to NPR, before returning to gardening and outings with his daughters on weekends.

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He was very successful. His engaging personality sent energy back in his direction from his accounts, and he was often invited to art openings and gallery events. Those soft clear eyes wide open, he soaked in the aesthetics and crafted his own.

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He tried his hand at painting and produced paintings that mirrored his photographic eye. In some details, they also anticipate the abstract art he would begin developing in 2010.