I became enamoured with art at a very young age and used it to express my very active imagination. I started teaching myself to draw by checking out as many books from the library that they would let me take on how to draw and paint as well as books on individual artists. My favorites were Da Vinci, Durer, Dali, and Escher.
At first I tried copying the works of the artists I loved the most using whatever media I could get my hands on- mostly pencils and watercolor. Then I began trying to draw from photographs and live subjects trying to duplicate every little detail. Eventually I started creating pieces derived from my own imagination- sometimes from stories I read or just things that I could see in my mind's eye. I found that my favorite media to do this in was pen and ink because it allowed for very fine detail.
I use the extreme detail in my work to "energize" the eyes. When looking at one of my pieces, the eye tends to follow the lines that meander, cross and merge with other lines causing the viewer's eyes to move in many directions. Many people find "hidden" faces and other things in my drawings which sometimes are delibrate, but often times subconsciously put into my drawings by the moods I project into my work as I create them.
The subject matter I enjoy most are the fantastic worlds that populate my mind and heart- wizards, elves, faeries and other creatures of legend, myth, and lore. Most subjects are wholey created from my imagination or from how I imagine characters would look like from stories I have read or heard.
Besides the original works for sale seen here, I am also available to do illustrations for books or other projects. Please contact me if interested in having me bring your literary ideas to life.
I hope you enjoy the artwork in this gallery, and feel free to let me know what you think or ask questions.
All images in this gallery copyright Rachel Ruz.
