About the Artist -
I’ve always loved art. I love museums, books, magazines and collections, but most of all I love the process of making art. As a kid, there was nothing better than a Saturday morning spent playing with crafts or drawing.
My interest in art eventually led me to get my B.F.A. in studio art from the University of Texas. I’ve also studied art at Oklahoma State University, and the University of Iowa. I pursued my love of ceramics until 2000 when I turned my focus to drawing and painting. I never considered myself a painter, but making art is a learned skill and I was willing to be taught. That year I saw an artist-friend’s work in pastel and I was mesmerized by the intensity of the color. I knew right then that this was what I wanted to learn.
Pastel is a forgiving medium with many varying applications. I use differing styles as I feel inspired by the medium and the subject. Sometimes I draw my subject with lines and on other projects I love to paint the shapes in thick strokes, color over color. I also use different surfaces depending on what I’m painting. I use paper made for pastel or my own board of foam-core, covered with a mixture of pumice and gesso. Variety in all things keeps me interested.
I have always found portraiture pleasing to do. With my love of animals, I naturally started to include animal portraits in my work. The last few years I’ve been interested in learning about landscapes and have been focused on learning to paint plein-aire and from my own photographs. I’ve chosen to work with Bob Rohm, Richard McKinley, and Doug Dawson. I’ve also enjoyed working with animal artist Brenda Mattson, and portrait painters Maria Lyle and Jerry Hunsinger.
Being an active member of the Austin Pastel Society had brought me in contact with others who love pastels and given me a place to show my work, and even to win some awards.
