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Since I could hold a pencil, I've been drawing. I draw for the pure joy of it, and for the feeling of connection to the world around me. I draw living things because they fascinate me. I like to feel like part of the natural world and to learn everything I can about it. I'm inspired by colors or shapes, or lighting or expressions, and feel compelled to try to translate what I see into artwork. I work in a variety of media, choosing the one that I think will best represent the subject I've chosen.
I drew constantly in my youth, but then my career as a teacher needed all my time and energy, and I basically stopped drawing for 32 years. But I'm back at it now. I'm recently retired, and again, all I want to do is draw. And I'm just beginning to venture into the world of art.
In 2023, four of my pieces were chosen for my first juried art show at the Decorative Arts Center in Lancaster, Ohio. The title of the show was It's An Honor To Be Here, and I definitely felt honored. There was a nice article about it featured in Ohio Magazine. I also had my gouache painting of a team of oxen selected as the cover art for a book called On The Shoulders of Giants, by Rob Collins.
I draw animals because I love animals; everything about them. I don't hunt, but I have a small taxidermy business, and compete in the state taxidermy show every year. I have a small farm with many kinds of animals. I've recently raised and trained a team of oxen to help me work on the farm. I call them Flint and Steel, and they are my joy.
I hope that the amazing things I see in animals are conveyed in my artwork, and that it might bring you joy and make you feel closer to the natural world.
