My inspiration is born from the works of the Impressionists & Abstract Expressionists – think VanGogh meets Kandinsky at Gustav Klimt’s house… I am fascinated by the ability of intense color and texture of line to convey an emotional expression from the artist to the viewer. Working with vivid color oil pastel, I create images that are recognizable to welcome the viewer into the scene. By using the hand cut metallic on some of my works I have stepped up the energy level of these pieces with the reflective brilliance that only a metallic surface can provide. I draw because it makes me feel good and energized, and I want the viewer to experience that same energy. That inspires me to create. My use of black outlines around the shapes are deliberate and necessary and intend only to define and intensify the emotion of my work… My imagery is taken from my travels and from my mind’s eye. I want a finished work that I can proudly say purely represents my vision.
I graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1988 and have been working as a full time, self-employed, professional artist since 1989. Originally working from my studio in Bellingham, WA, I relocated my home and studio in 2007 to the gorgeous surroundings of Sechelt, BC, where I am constantly inspired by the beauty of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. The medium I use is oil pastel on black paper. The work starts out as a white pencil line sketch, which can be seen in places under the oil pastel layer. Gold foil is glued and hand trimmed. The oil pastel is carefully drawn over the textured surface of the black paper. I exhibit my work in regional galleries and show at the various juried fine arts festivals throughout North America.
