WHY ARE YOU AN ARTIST?
I am an artist because I love to paint. When I have a paintbrush in my hand the rest of the world
doesn't exist for me. At that moment in time, I am only in touch with my ideas about what I want to physically convey
on canvas, not only for me but for you to enjoy as well.
WHY DO YOU MAKE ART?
I make art for several reasons. Of course, I want the viewer to appreciate what I've done and give
me compliments about my work. That goes further with me than most anything. I get so much pleasure myself when
a piece turns out the way I wanted it to, and am especially excited when it surpasses my expectations. Then I can't
wait to start on another piece. I want to be able to share my work with anyone who likes it, whether it be for
the subject matter, style, color, or whatever.
HOW DO YOU USE ART TO EXPRESS YOURSELF?
A primary concern of mine is to be able to capture nature's beauty, creating
both movement and flow, which expresses a natural rhythm and allows the viewer to feel the strength and energy of the subject.
This is achieved by manipulating the movement of light and shadow on the subject, thereby portraying the essence of life where
everything is meaningful.
WHAT DOES YOUR ART REPRESENT?
High contrast and sharp direction are the two elements that form the basis of my art.
WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION?
I am forever inspired by the sheer beauty of God's creations and a strong desire to portray that
beauty onto canvas for others to view and receive their own inspiration and feelings, whatever they might be.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TECHNIQUES YOU USE?
My paintings are about color, light & shadow and texture, often using bold strokes of color and texture
with a palette knife to convey the mood in my work.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEDIUM?
I have worked in a variety of media, oils, watercolors, pastels, colored pencil and charcoal. I would
be hard pressed to say which is my favorite, for each has their own distinctive personality.
DO YOU PAINT FULL TIME?
Yes, I do. My love for painting had to take a back seat for many years while I helped my husband,
Shon, raise our seven children. I also worked in a law office for over twenty of those years. So needless to say
I was thrilled when my husband said I could quit my "paying" job and start painting on a full-time basis.
That was June of '03 and I haven't looked back!
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU HAD RATHER DO THAN PAINT?
Emphatically NO. I had rather paint than eat! I feel like I'm the luckiest girl in the world
because every morning I can get up and do exactly what I want to do - go in my studio and paint. I love it with all
of my heart. I just hope it shows in my finished works.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A PAINTING?
I am asked this question more than any other and it is the hardest one to answer. There is no pat
answer because a lot depends on the medium I'm using, the size of the piece, the detail work involved, so on and so on.
Also, it's not unusual for me to compose several compositions for a few pieces of work at the same time and then work
on those pieces at the same time.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO STEP BY STEP?
Right now I will briefly try to explain my procedure, but be sure to check back soon as I plan to add a
page to my website giving a demo which will go into much more detail.
My ideas for creating a realistic painting are first developed from various small sketches to a full-size
drawing in order to make a pleasing composition. The drawing is then transferred to either canvas or paper, depending
on the medium to be used. Each painting is begun by applying thin glazes of color, gradually building them until the
desired values are achieved.
WHY DO PEOPLE OWN YOUR WORK?
I have been told by my collectors they love my style of realism with details, the combination of smooth
and thick brushstrokes in an oil painting, the clean crispness of the watercolors, and the play of light and shadow on the
subject.
DO YOU USE LIVE MODELS?
Most of my pieces start with a photo that was given to me or one that I took myself. I only use the
photo as a reference for form and the rest comes from my imagination. I combine elements from things I see and experience
to come up with each unique piece.
CAN YOU DO A PAINTING OF MY WIFE, CHILD, GIRLFRIEND, ETC?
Yes, I can. I would need a good photo from you to work with and we could discuss all of the details
either by email or phone as to medium, size, setting, etc. See my Commission page for more information.
