". . . a brush with nature"

A new book has just been released featuring over 500 pieces of art with animals as the subject matter. About 100 artists from around the world were invited to be included in the book by author, E. Ashley Rooney. This elegant collection "honors the artistic connection and age-old totemic relationship between animal and human."  E. Ashley Rooney quite eloquently writes in the Preface about the bond many of us share with animals. Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen, artist, naturalist and author, contributed a thought provoking Forward and Donna Dodson's Introduction is a must read, as well. Without question, the stunning full-color photographs of the individual artists' works are the shining stars of the book, taking the reader on an exciting visual journey through the world of animal art.

I am so excited to have my work included in this book. Just to be invited was an honor in itself. Then the real surprise was to find that my pastel painting, "Daydreamin' ", was chosen for the inside front of the book. This was very special and a tribute to our dog, Fergus, who we have since lost. He would be quite honored, too, as he was my constant companion, model and muse.

The Contemporary Art of Nature Mammals is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

No one can deny the beauty and grace of a swan as it glides through the water. This one passed through patches of shadows as I watched, took reference photos and committed the special moment to memory. Now, many years later, I thought that instant from so long ago would translate beautifully into scratchboard. Creating it took me back . . . I hope you enjoy the work.

"Out of the Shadows" is available on my New Works page.

Seeing this owl in flight was wonderful, as are most brushes with nature. It brings to mind one of my favorite quotes . . . one that I would like to share with you here.

"May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know it's beauty all the days of your life." - Apache blessing

The title of this pastel is "Night Flight."

Although I routinely work in several different mediums, painting with pastels is a special favorite of mine. There are many reasons I enjoy pastels so much, but here are my top five.

1. Pastels are a pure pigment. Because there is no liquid binder that can cause changes in other media (i.e. fading, darkening, yellowing or cracking) pastel is the most permanent medium of all. Manet, Degas, Mary Cassatt and James Whistler are but a few notable artists that regularly painted with pastels. Their works in pastel have certainly stood the test of time.

2. Pastels offer great versatility. There is an infinite range of color sticks, supports to work on, softness or hardness of the pastel stick itself (important in mark making) and they are fairly portable (for plein air artists.) An individual artist can choose to make a simple pastel sketch leaving much of the working surface exposed or create a painting with multiple layers of pastel. If the correct working surface is selected you can even start the painting with a watercolor under painting.

3. Pastel is tactile. I love being able to touch the painting as I work on it . . . blending, layering, marking, moving the pastels around using mostly my hands. I become very connected with each pastel piece in a very unique and personal way.

4. There is no drying time involved when you are working in pastel. It allows such a spontaneous approach. You see the results immediately and you know what the piece is going to look like. You do not have to consider any possible shift in colors due to drying.  

5. Finally and most importantly, pastels are FUN! For me this is in great part due to the spontaneity and the ability to get very close to what I am working on. 

I hope you enjoy my work.

. . . horse. Yes, I did say horse! Or maybe it would be a dog, bear, moose or bunny. Who knows which critter for sure, but definitely an animal of some sort. I have been saying that since I was a small child when every other kid was pretending to ride on horses, but I was pretending to be one. 

Animals have always been a passion of mine. I love and respect them. I feel close to them. I am drawn to them . . . and I am compelled to draw and paint them. When I was young I spent most of my free time drawing horses, that is when I wasn't reading books about them or "being" one. Today not that much has changed. I have a family of cherished furry and feathered friends and am honored to have daily visitors from the forest that surround my home and studio. I still find that the greatest percentage of my art is centered around that theme, be it wildlife or domestic animals. I also love exploring the relationship and bonds we build with the animals we share our lives with. 

I think it is important to paint what is in your heart . . . what you feel strongly about . . . what you have a passion for. When a viewer looks at a painting of mine I hope they can experience the love and respect I feel for the animal I have portrayed in the piece.