Portraits & Character Studies
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2006 10.5 x 14.25
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The inspiration for this painting was a woman photographed with her family on an African savannah in Algeria. I was captivated by her apparent expression of dark apprehension and suspicion at being photographed, which contrasted sharply with her colorful garb and surroundings. |
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2006 10.25 x 14 |
This watercolor is based on a penciled sketch I made of a woman studio model with angular features and sharp muscle tone. Several viewers have thought it to be a painting of a slender young man instead. Thus, the title. |
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Casey is a young musician and son of an artist friend. This was painted during a life drawing lesson for which he modeled. His quiet, steady gaze is in contrast to his typical animated persona as a performer. Perhaps he would have rather been playing music. | |
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2008 11.25 x 15 |
I used a photograph of a young woman pouring water as a model for this painting. She is a symbol of the rural work ethic. It is springtime, and there is still a chill in the air. |
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These two women were from a photograph shown to me by my mentor. They were two separate faces in a crowd of many, joined by the presence of a shared spiritual experience. I placed them together in the painting for that reason. | |
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The woman in this painting is given hope by the candle that is lighting her journey. She is contemplating a future of grace, peace, and serenity. For now she is content, but the hope is for illumination of something larger and more complete. She is heartened by the wind, and shields the candle with her presence. | |
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A magazine photo of Harry Belafonte inspired this painting. I was attracted to the image by the man’s obvious strength and confidence. There is such a feeling of openness and willingness; how I would imagine Mr. Belafonte to be in real life. | |
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2008 12 x 16 |
Each Monday evening a group of artists gather to draw or paint musicians that play in a local coffee house, here in Eugene, Oregon. It is the most delightful experience to listen to good music and do what I love to do, while being in the company of other artists. |
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2008 11 x 15 |
There is an acceptance of time and age with this old Apache man. A rugged life is reflected in his face and posture. |
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This painting was inspired by a day at the beach. A warm sun, a long stretch of beach and a contemplative thought. This lady is sitting on the sand and looking out to sea. She is observant, assessing her surroundings and taking in the enormity of it all. Her imagination stretches like the sandy beach she contemplates. | |
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2008 11.5 x 15 |
This painting was completed several years after it was first started. I had put it aside and forgotten it, until it was rediscovered while tidying up my studio. I often wear braids while working or painting, to keep my hair out of the way. |
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2008 12 x 16 |
I am beginning to accumulate quite the collection of self portraits. For this painting I tried a different technique for the background: laying layers of colors, instead of wetting the paper and flowing the colors in, as I usually do. |
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2008 11.25 x 15 |
This man has a look of pondering a decision that only age and wisdom can construe. No longer weary, but more a sort of reconciliation with a higher presence. |
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I sketched this young lady at the library. She holds a distant gaze and appears to be lost in pleasant thought, daydreaming. Entranced by her thoughts, the red bandana girl takes a break and reflects on some inner journey and possible outcomes. |
