Earl Staley grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois and resides in Tomball, Texas. He is an artist and teacher with more than 50 years of experience. Mr. Staley holds Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees. He taught at Washington University, St. Louis; Rice University, Houston; and the University of St. Thomas, Houston, where he was chairperson of the Art Department. Today he is in charge of the Fine Art program at Lonestar College-Tomball, TX. Mr. Staley is the recipient of three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1981 he received the Rome Prize in Painting from the American Academy in Rome, Italy: he sided in Rome for 4 years. Mr. Staley’s paintings look back to his artistic roots and forward to new interpretations of the myths and symbols embedded in his life.