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Windhound
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About Me
Capturing the spirit and emotion of the animal in a drawing is what my art is all about. I look into the eyes trying to figure the animals inner soul. For me the eyes tell it all. This distinguishes my art from others. I capture the character through the eyes. Every set of eyes tells a story and my job, as an artist is to look beyond and find the heart and soul.
In most cases, my motto is less can be more. Let the observer’s visualize their interpretation, thereby creating the image and story. I use many styles to accomplish this whether it is realism or abstraction.
After graduating college with a degree in art and knowing the difficulties of earning a living in the field, I put my creative side on hold and chose a career in Real Estate. Twenty-three years later, 1999, I began to write short stories about salukis, the breed of dog I share my life with. I decided it might be fun to illustrate these stories. Following two years of studies at Brentwood Art Center School of Fine Art in Los Angeles and finding I loved working in the pastel medium, I began sketching my salukis.
Like many artists, it took a tragic event to spark my true creativity. This occurred in the summer of 2001 when my sister died. Having difficulties drawing human figures I turned my focus to my dogs, who gave me the unconditional love that I needed at the time. My salukis became my inspiration as they still are. I had and continue to spend hours watching their antics. With the death of my sister I also inherited 2 cats. Not having been a cat lover, I quickly changed and learned the differences between canines and felines.
In February of 2002, I won first place in the drawing category from the Art Show at the Dog Show, a national juried fine arts competition dedicated to canine art in Wichita, Kansas with my drawing, "The Long Stare". In 2004, "Feathered Scrutiny" won first place in the drawing category and Best Entry Depicting a Sighthound at the Art Show at the Dog Show. Another drawing "Puppy Bliss received a 4th place award in the drawing category at the same show.
My artistic goals have been to experiment in the types of animals I draw. I like to challenge myself by drawing a new breed of dog or cat to see if I can capture their spirit. I have also expanded into drawing horses, wildlife and birds.
I would like to end by saying that my inspiration for animal art comes from my husband, daughter, our 3 salukis and 2 cats that I share my life with as well as the 2 salukis that live nearby at my mothers home. |
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| Pastels, charcoal, colored pencils |
dogs, cats, horses |
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