28" x 18”

Colored Pencil

Available for Sale

When I came upon Mr. Souders sitting in the remaining afternoon sun, with a dog adopted only 4 hours earlier from a local animal shelter, I grabbed my camera.  The lighting was amazing and the scene iconic.  The title Who Rescued Whom? Was in my head as I clicked away.

The original  was painted in 2012. My medium: colored pencil with solvents on 4ply mat board, scored to isolate bright whites. The original currently resides at and is owned by The Louisiana State University Veterinary Medical School Library. This painting won Best in Show, CPSA District Chapter 119 Exhibition in 2012, where it was also awarded People’s Choice; Judge’s Award, in the International Exhibition on Animal’s in Art, hosted by LSU Veterinary Medical School spring 2012; Best in show non-signature member category of CPSA’s Artspectations spring of 2014; is published in Rachel Rubin Wolf’s STROKES OF GENIUS 6, The Best of Drawing.

2015

30" x 24” (estimated)

Colored Pencil

SOLD

2013

8 x10” (estimated)

Colored Pencil

SOLD

Be sure to scroll down to see a selection of cats in graphite.

2015

19" x 25.5”

Artist's Personal Collection

Looking through reference material, I came across a series of photos taken in Cape May New Jersey and immediately thought "scale of justice." The scale is associated with Anubis. The idea of a guardian protector of the dead, who by weighing the heart, determined a soul worthy of Heaven or Hell, originated with the Egyptians and was later adopted by the Greeks, who named the God Anubis. In this image, two helmet-shaped, Horseshoe Crabs, deemed to be living fossils and estimated to be 450 million years old are held at arm's length by the beautiful yet indifferent woman, who hides her slight amusement behind dark glasses. The white dress reminds us that our fate is yet to be determined. The off balance composition is intended to create tension.  What will she decide?  

Scale of Anubis is painted/drawn with colored pencil and solvent on Rag 4ply mat board.

2012

8" x 13”

Colored Pencil on linen

Available for Sale

2015

4.25" x 9”

Colored Pencil on Linen

SOLD

2011

18" x12.5”

Colored Pencil

Available for Sale

Over a decade of creating portraits has brought me to the realization that it is best to stick to subjects with whom I have a strong connection. Somehow my emotion wicks into the surface as I work. And in doing so, my interpretation of personality evolves in a quirky, often humorous way. 

Two dogs and a cat occupy their favorite perch, the weary back of a leather couch which sits under a row of windows overlooking the driveway. This is a typical day.  A grainy, monochromatic foreground portrays that in-between state animals hold while they wait quietly inside. The full color seen through the window, is where life continues at a normal speed and for at least the dogs, all activity begins.  The dogs wait patiently like bookends, while the cat has a bead on a bird in the tree. 

The painting was a joy and a challenge to create.  It is 100% colored pencil. Solvents were used in places to bleed colors together, then many, many layers of grays, using the “scrumbling” technique, which simply put, is a light even swirling motion with a sharp point to slowly build values. 

The full moon is out. The witch is on her broom, but Thomas is a little too chubby to catch a ride.

FLY BY was created using color pencils, india ink, gouache and solvent The surface, 4 ply rag, mat board, was scored in places to create depth and isolate bright whites. The model, a big orange tabby cat named Thomas.

2015

26.5" x 20”

Colored Pencil

Available for Sale

2015

6" x 9” (approximate)

Colored Pencil on Silk

Part of a Triptych that is Available for Sale

2016

9.5" x11”

Colored Pencil

Available for Sale: Original and Giclee Print

2015

13" x 9”

Colored Pencil on Linen

Available for Sale

2016

12" x 14”

Colored Pencil on Linen

SOLD

2015

24" x 22” (estimated)

Colored Pencil

SOLD

2013

13" x 16.5”

Colored Pencil on Linen

Available for Sale  

2016

30" x 20”

Colored Pencil

Origonal SOLD, Giclee Print Available

2013

20" x 16”

Colored Pencil on Linen

Artist Private Collection, Giclee Prints Available