Sigmund began self instruction in painting upon retirement from a business career in 1988. He first attended numerous workshops featuring a variety of mediums and techniques, and read a great many books by nationally known painters and teachers. Certain influences emerged, especially Edward Betts, Mary Todd Beam, Katherine Liu, Gerald Brommer and Christopher Schink. Recently, individual instruction by Marjorie Dean Andruk solidified a desire to paint in an impressionistic style including abstract and nonrepresentational renderings.