Mikela Cameron

Willits, California

Artist's Statement

I have always loved to draw and the western way of life has always had a big influence on me. After college I managed a cattle ranch for 20 years and as the old timers around here say “Every day was a rodeo and a picnic.” I loved it! The ranch was sold and I worked as a high school librarian until I retired. I finally had the time to draw again and took a colored pencil class at our local college.

Colored pencils are fun to work with. It’s easy to get lost in their luminous colors and waxy texture. I begin each image by layering colors and allowing the translucency and the texture to become the subject. The images seem to rise from the paper, and I feel like I’m creating a sculpture with color. Working with colored pencils has opened my eyes to the wonderful and rich colors around us.

I am a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and have had my art work selected to be shown in the last four of their International Exhibitions.