I have a great appreciation for the beauty of nature and all its different settings. Deserts, mountains or prairies each hold their own appeal with varied terrain, wildlife, and climates. Painting is a great way for me to connect with nature. As I learn more about painting, I notice things I never noticed before. I see mountains in brushstrokes and shades of color. A tree holds a whole world of life, textures and interest; and light playing across the landscape is ever changing, creating wonderful shapes. I also see that it is not just a duck on a pond or a bird in a tree, but there are many different kinds of ducks and birds; each with their own magnificent colors and habits. Nature and painting are a perfect fit for me as one fuels passion for and a deeper understanding of the other.
My paintings are realistic interpretations of what I see and love. I portray wildlife in its natural setting doing whatever it is that particular animal does. I want to share with others the wonders of that animal and their environment. I also paint close-up portraits of wildlife, paying close attention to the eyes as the eyes are the soul of the animal. I hope others will see the intelligence of these animals and understand what a loss it would be if they were gone. I like to play with light and depth. I want viewers to not only see what I show them in the light area, but to imagine what's hiding in the depth and darkness behind the light.
I sometimes paint or sketch outdoors, but usually work in the studio from reference photos. Days not spent painting I can often be found in the country or at a wildlife refuge taking photos for future paintings. I have worked in most mediums, but have recently directed my focus to oil, watercolor and colored pencil, sometimes mixed with scratch art or pyrography. I always build one layer at a time. Each layer requires making decisions about lights and darks, the need for warm or cool colors, how much detail and texture should be included, and what I want to bring forward or push to the back to satisfy the composition. When I think I've finished a painting, I set it where I can see it in passing over the next few days to see if anything needs to be changed.
I paint because it makes me happy. It is calming and allows me time to spend with the things I love. In the process, I hope my work helps others see and appreciate wildlife and the wonder of their fleeting environment as natural resources that are both fragile and irreplaceable. I frequently donate paintings to help preserve these resources.
My paintings are realistic interpretations of what I see and love. I portray wildlife in its natural setting doing whatever it is that particular animal does. I want to share with others the wonders of that animal and their environment. I also paint close-up portraits of wildlife, paying close attention to the eyes as the eyes are the soul of the animal. I hope others will see the intelligence of these animals and understand what a loss it would be if they were gone. I like to play with light and depth. I want viewers to not only see what I show them in the light area, but to imagine what's hiding in the depth and darkness behind the light.
I sometimes paint or sketch outdoors, but usually work in the studio from reference photos. Days not spent painting I can often be found in the country or at a wildlife refuge taking photos for future paintings. I have worked in most mediums, but have recently directed my focus to oil, watercolor and colored pencil, sometimes mixed with scratch art or pyrography. I always build one layer at a time. Each layer requires making decisions about lights and darks, the need for warm or cool colors, how much detail and texture should be included, and what I want to bring forward or push to the back to satisfy the composition. When I think I've finished a painting, I set it where I can see it in passing over the next few days to see if anything needs to be changed.
I paint because it makes me happy. It is calming and allows me time to spend with the things I love. In the process, I hope my work helps others see and appreciate wildlife and the wonder of their fleeting environment as natural resources that are both fragile and irreplaceable. I frequently donate paintings to help preserve these resources.