Artist Statement
Drawing has always come naturally to me. I believe it is part of my genetic makeup. It is a gift from my forbearers. I feel closest to my true nature when I am engaged in this form of creative expression. I am inspired by the natural world because it is universal and it is beautiful.
My process starts with something I see, a certain bend in a branch or light through a leaf or wildlife in my garden. When an image or experience impresses me I may journal about it, sketch it or take pictures of it. It becomes an image/memory/story that I want to illustrate.
One of the ways I know a drawing is complete is when I sense that something exists in it that I did not create, something that I hope will create a synergy with the viewer.
My preferred materials are pencil and paper: inexpensive, portable and simple. I often work in colored pencil but like working with graphite best. My background as a printmaker helped me understand the rich beauty of black and the importance of line quality. Rather than being the absence of light or color, black has absorbed all color and light and is therefore charged with that energy. It is charged with rich symbolism as well.
My work is representational as opposed to abstract and can be appreciated for the skills required to bring the image to the page but I hope for more…I hope to invite the viewer into the space I’ve created on paper. Also, I want my work to be very accessible. I don’t want people to have to use words to “understand” my drawing as often happens with more abstract work. I want the image to do the talking. In fact I want my drawings to evoke a conversation with the viewer. My hope is that you will be curious about the story inside the image.
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