It Was Love at First Stroke!

As soon as I started working with pastels I was hooked. It was truly love at first stroke! Pastels are so tactile, so direct and also forgiving. The bright colors attract me, but the subtle neutrals are also fascinating. Just as you can't see light without shadow, you don't appreciate the bright colors without duller neutrals. I have found that this medium allows me great freedom to create landscapes and waterscapes that draw the viewer in through color, contrast, texture and stroke.

I am intrigued by the way light falls on different surfaces in nature, be it leaves, grass, snow or water. It creates textures by casting small and large shadows. Everything has texture: clouds, water, grass, trees, rocks, animal fur…I paint these textures sometimes literally, using a textured ground, or visually, with overlaying color and varying strokes.

I often paint water, still, with strong reflections, or moving, with ripples, waves or rapids. It is important to me that the viewer is attracted by the composition and then stays to discover the textures through color, light and shadow.

Recently I have ventured into the realm of abstract art and am thoroughly enjoying the journey.