What made you choose pastels as a medium?
I choose painting with pastels because at the time I wanted to take an art course at the Art Alliance and the pastel classes were just starting up with Linda Schimmel. I must admit I never worked in pastels before since oils were my main interest at the time. Once using pastels I fell in love with them, so easy to manage and such beautiful colors to work with.
How long have you been using pastels and what are your favorite subjects to paint?
I believe the classes started in 2003. My favorite subjects to paint are dog portraits and landscapes.
How has your practice changed over time?
Since I moved to Foxdale Village I have done a lot more painting then before. I have more time and a studio in my den to work at. Plus a lovely art room to go and paint whenever I want to.
What is the best art related advice you’ve been given?
I believe the best advice I had was to have a focus point and show the direction of light.
What do you wish you’d have known from the beginning, but took years to learn?
In the beginning of my painting experience I seemed to paint what I thought others would want to buy. I eventually learned to paint for myself and what I enjoyed and liked.
Where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration comes from Mother Nature and I use photographs. My daughter would love to take photographs of area landscapes and I would paint the ones that I liked.
When is your favorite time of day to create and how do you develop your art skills?
I seem to like painting in the early afternoons or sometimes mornings and have developed my skills from practice. In the past I took classes of different mediums besides pastels.
How do you define success as an artist?
Success is when you achieve the painting that you set out to paint and having other people enjoy your paintings.
Favorite surface to paint on?
My favorite paper to paint on is Canson Mi-Teintes for dog portraits and Art Spectrum Colourfix and Art Spectrum for landscapes.
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