Taking up painting is one of the best decisions I ever made.  Painting has introduced me to a whole new experience as well as meeting artists who share my passion for art.  Local art classes and workshops have helped me learn new techniques and enhanced my skills.

I have experimented with different mediums but found I like working with acrylics.  My work includes landscapes, animals, flowers.  I try to keep my work painterly, hoping it will draw the viewer to the painting.   I want the viewer to imagine walking down the road or out into the fields that make up the painting.

Ideas for my paintings come from the world around me.  Travelling down a township road with beautiful fall colours, viewing the wild horses near Sundre, AB or viewing local gardens all give me inspiration and ideas to paint.

I renewed my interest in drawing (graphite) and have created a number of works featuring dogs and horses.  The contrast between the light and dark is what makes a drawing stand out and gives it depth.  Detail in the drawing is important to me, for instance when drawing dogs, the eyes are the most important aspect.  They convey what the animal is feeling and I want the viewer to feel it too.

Ideas for my drawings again come from what’s around me.  For instance, a drawing entitled Whatcha Doin?” came about as I watched the farrier shoeing one of our horses, who turned his head to see what the farrier was doing!  The horse was totally relaxed and just as interested as we were watching the farrier work.

One of the wonderful things about art is that you are always learning.  Whether it is a new technique, working with new colours in my palette, there’s always room to improve one’s work.  I am extremely fortunate to be painting with artists who are willing to share their expertise with me.