Although most of the time I create for myself, the embrace from viewers is the greatest motivation. Also, the curiosity and excitement of discovery. I like to experiment. I categorize my work by the subject matter, seldom the style, because, I tend to go beyond the limitation of a specific style. My work reveals contradiction, which is my favorite way of sketching, from very fluid charcoal shading techniques to textural sketching with graphite. Besides that, the female body, the world around us and things happening in and around my life, influence and dominate the topic and subject of my work. I love to tell stories. I create characters who tell stories. At the same time, I try to give these artifacts a sense of purpose as well as a renewed sense of belonging and hopefully, beauty. When people show appreciation for my work, I somehow feel that they are appreciating the real me, or at least something closer to my soul. I have never really felt comfortable with personal compliments or lavish praise, especially in a public setting, but on the other hand, if someone heaps praise upon my work, the focus is more comfortably on my work and not directly on me. And I appreciate the thought that my art is gracing the walls of people who may glance at it and smile! Creating art sharpens my eye and makes me look at the world through a new lens.

I really love charcoal art because it is rich and earthy. Using charcoal is great for expressive sketching. So what is charcoal? What is this strange yet natural art application material anyway? Charcoal is the carbon residue left over from the heated (dehydrated and scorched) remains of animal and vegetation matter. "Char" essentially means to scorch until reduced to carbon. So as a result it becomes a porous chemical ash that resembles coal. This is the reason why they threw "coal" in as a second syllable to make the word charcoal (wink). Using charcoal on its own is excellent for developing deep tones, volume, depth and realistic light. If you've ever seen a charcoal drawing on a wall that has been drawn and of course framed well, then you'll agree with me when I say that it is truly "attention grabbing" art. Charcoal paintings or sketches have a very decorative appeal as they are neutral in terms of no colour. It is an art form that can really bring rich organic simplicity to a room.

I think I always thought that to be a real artist, one's work had to look a certain way, following in the path of the realists perhaps. What I'm just now starting to realize and celebrate is that my art is my art, for better or worse. It looks like my art, which is why I think I never quite accepted it, something I am still working on. What I'm learning is that like a fingerprint or a snowflake, each artists work is unique, and that is how it is supposed to be! It may not fit into the current "market" of what sells and what doesn't, but rather than trying to moderate, or adjust, or change my style to conform to that, I'm finding a lot of happiness and personal sense of accomplishment accepting mine as it is and letting it grow in its own unique way. I think being exposed to so many great artists, and finding so many wonderful collectors interested in supporting my work, has really helped me with this. Thank you all! I do believe art transforms people, their environments and communities. So I believe I am participating in the world to add a little extra beauty and perhaps encourage others to think with my art. I hope that the passion I have for art and the passion I have to tell stories through my sketches, is reflected in my work. Keep it real! Peace!!

Artist Highlights

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