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Worn by
the Wind This was done in a different colored pencil technique than I normally do, using lighter finishing layers over dark base tones. That's a difficult method, since colored pencils are transparent, but the results were quite satisfying. This work was done as an exercise in a workshop taught by Bonnie Auten. There's a rugged determination about the model, an intensity in the gaze, that's fascinating. And there's a sense of independent, individual style in the snake wrapped around the brim of the hat, and the feather that's starting to fray, as she seems to be. I spent many hours wondering what this woman's life must have been like while I worked on this piece. |
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Teresa My first colored pencil drawing, done in '95. I had just finished reading the books by Bet Borgeson, and couldn't wait to try them out. I have to admit this image was taken from an advertisement, and is not an original composition. The bright red hair reminded me of my mother, after whom this painting is named (even though it's done with pencils, the works are called paintings). I was quite pleased with the success of this first effort. A few other pieces followed to refine my techniques, but these were given away to coworkers as Grumman was disbanding. Because they are a convenient medium that doesn't require much studio space, I continued working in colored pencils following my relocation to Illinois.
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Gina Gina was the daughter of a friend I used to work with at Grumman. She was quite the little imp, and wouldn't sit still while being photographed for this portrait. This work was based on a combination of photographs taken one day, but the main photograph used was taken during a break, when Gina didn't know she was being photographed. This resulted in an informal gesture where Gina looked more natural and happier than when she was posing.
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The Thrill of Being
Three This is a portrait of my son Dave. When he was three years old, I was building a large play set in the yard for his older siblings. The sounds of the power tools scared Dave, and he avoided the site. But one day, while I was taking a break, he conquered his fears, approached cautiously, and began to climb. Though he's only a few inches off the ground at this point, his expression of thrill was contagious.
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Ben This is a portrait of a studio model, done in three sessions of two hours each for a painting class I was taking. I was 17 at the time this was painting was done. Though structurally it's well formed, due to my inexperience the portrait came out looking rather harsh. However, it contained a sufficient likeness and was an excellent learning experience. |
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Bill This is a portrait of a friend, done when we were both juniors in high school, back in 1971. This is from the same portrait class as the paintings of Ben and Judy. Bill was a bit of an eccentric fellow, and often wore a rat's skull he found as a lapel pin. In order to express this individuality, I painted a somewhat surrealistic fantasy landscape for the background instead of the hanging drapery used in the studio.
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Judy This was done in one session of the portrait workshop I attended when I was seventeen. Judy never came back for the other two scheduled sittings, so I couldn't continue with the portrait beyond this preliminary painting. Note that the blouse, hair, and hat are just barely sketched in. I also never got the chance to refine the features that needed more work, such as the right eye. However, I kind of like the spontaneous, sketchy look this picture ended up with, so I decided to sign it and consider it complete where it was.
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