Artist Statement

I am compelled by light & dark patterns in life. Everywhere I look, shadows from an object’s edge pulls at me to explore, look deeper. I am often drawn to intimate forest paths and trees in meadows but don’t hesitate to explore man’s involvement in these scenes. My favorite mediums are monochromatic (charcoal, ink or graphite). Since most works right now are black on white paper, the lightest portions of a drawing are the untouched paper. Therefore, I spend a great deal of time (up to months) working on studies from life and from photographs, working out compositional and different value zones because I cannot remove black from white paper and find the white again. These studies continue until I learn the turn of a branch or the look in the eyes of my subject and how to proceed. The greatest challenge then is to stay out of my own way and let the artist and subject become the drawing.

I have always loved to draw, but took a different path for many years before finding my way back. A workshop to learn drawing flowers in colored pencil was all it took. From then on, nothing could stop that re-found passion. Through numerous workshops, public and private lessons I continue to study. I try to draw every day, from life if possible or from a reference photo or an old master’s drawing reference when available. After exploring color (colored pencil and pastel) for a few years, I found monochromatic images and media (graphite, ink & charcoal) more compelling. Freedom came with the possibilities of what I could do with value only allowing the image develop as it needs to. I use plein air watercolor or graphite sketching studies to become centered and focus on the moment and I firmly believe every mark or smudge I make leads me to the next and improves all my drawings.