Drawing
I’m highly inspired by the beautiful calligraphic lines that can be found in Japanese and Chinese ink drawings and paintings. It is this varied line quality that I incorporate in composing forms on paper. As artists, we are lucky to have so many materials to choose from to express our subject. I choose to experiment with a variety of inks that are opaque and translucent. I find the intensity of the color more exciting compared to watercolors. However, ink can be unforgiving if you make a mistake. You can’t erase it, whatever you put down, it’s there for the long term which forces me to challenge myself and work through any mistakes. I find that to be a wonderful challenge!
I am inspired by form in nature both human and biological. I enjoy studying natural forms; finding beauty in their variety and their complexity of shapes, contrasting textures and structural qualities. My goal is to transport you into a symphony of line, form and movement.
Sculpture
While attending college and majoring in painting, I also worked at Cessna and Boeing, where I built airplane wings, which influenced my choice to create sculpture. I believe that experience inspired me to go into Sculpture. The idea of building something while feeling the touch and texture of materials intrigued me as well as gave me the ability to physically walk around the sculpture and view the orchestration of those materials.
Eventually, I gravitated toward clay for modeling the form - casting some of the sculptures from clay to bronze. Just the touch of clay is soothing, relaxing and enjoyable to manipulate into any kind of form. As in my drawings, I continue to study the endless anatomical structures and patterns of natural forms. I’m also interested in demonstrating movement and contortions in the form while using surface colors to enhance the mass – forcing the viewer's eyes to follow and experience the three-dimensional configuration.
Pat
