My best work begins with an emotional response to the subject. Sometimes it’s the play of light and dark or the look on a face. It's a feeling when I’m looking through my camera's lens.  I know I’ve captured personality and great composition.

I enjoy pastel because of it's ability to express the softness and sensitivity I need for children or pet portraits. Pastels come in a wide range of color values and intensities making them delightful to work with.

Pastel also lets you create vignettes – an ethereal quality I enjoy using to soften edges or create subtle backgrounds. Strong light and shadow or an unusual angle often expresses my point of view.  Each painting is a completely unique experience for me.  

I enjoy meeting the subject and getting a personal impression; working only from a photo doesn’t give me as full  a “reading” of my subject's personality. If the portrait is a surprise present it adds to the excitement for me, knowing it will bring joy to the recipient.

My portrait artwork often becomes a treasured heirloom for the family, be it of a beloved child or cherished pet.