After retiring from teaching art in New York state I moved to Oregon. There I started painting the attractions of my new home. My work is about showing my love of color and texture with pastels . Landscapes and animals are my favorite subjects.
Workshop experiences with such noted pastelists as Richard McKinley, Judith Cunningham , Ellen Dittebrandt, Albert Handell, Susan Ogilvie and Christine Debrosky helped me in mastering this painting medium. Previously I had worked in colored pencil. Recent experiences painting outdoors with PAPO ( The Plein Air Painters of Oregon ) have added to my abilities to simplify and look for the “light”.
My main interest in a composition is to capture my subject with strong colors and simplified shapes. I may even find I’ve completed a purely abstract painting. I approach being an artist as an adventure. I have a goal in mind for my painting, but getting there is hardly ever a straight line. The choices of how to proceed are usually endlessly exciting and challenging.
A well known professional artist gave me this great advice - “ enjoy the process “. Such an approach to painting is a wonderful gift for me. |