My work stands out from others for several reasons. One is, I am skilled at drawing and getting the proportions right. No matter how good a painter, if the proportions are not correct, the painting will not look right. The second reason I think my work stands out is the materials I use. Soft pastels have been in use for hundreds of years. They are durable and are one of the finest pigments in use today. Most pastel artists have trouble capturing the true brilliance of the pigment because paper is too smooth and has no 'tooth'. I use an acid free matting material called suede matboard. I discovered this combination by accident only to find out some very outstanding pastelists also use this combination. The suede like material has a lot of 'tooth' and the pastel sticks to the surface easily like paint. This allows me to build up layers of color and create rich detail. Another reason my work stands out is my deep love of animals. I grew up on a ranch and my playmates were the horses, dogs, and cats that lived there with me. I can easily see the beauty in animals and strive to capture that beauty in my artwork.
The thing I like most about my job is presenting the finished artwork. Something I learned from a young age, it feels good to give the gift of art and making people happy makes me happy. I never require payment unless the person LOVES the painting. That is a satisfaction guarantee that I stand behind 100%. I also have to admit that seeing the fur and eyes of an animal come to life is exciting! When I create a wildlife painting that excitement is what motivates me... capturing a gorgeous animal in a beautiful setting. I am hooked on it, I love it so much!!