"Doll Face"

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Before I began to paint the first in the series "INK", I ran into this young woman at Barnes and Noble. I pretty much chased her through the store, knowing she would be perfect for the series that had been evolving in my head. She was polite, and even seemed excited that someone might want to draw her, but after that meeting life got busy and I didn't hear from her again. Two months later, and with 3 portraits completed, as fate would have it, my Barnes and Noble girl reappeared. Her edgy look was what first made me notice her, but it was her sweet, girlish charm that I found intriguing as I painted her portrait. If you look closely "Doll Face" is tattooed across her knuckles. It seemed like the perfect title for this piece.

"My Hood"

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I had decided I'd like to take this model's photos in the park near my home. I drove through the park twice before we met to pick out the perfect locations to take my photos, since normally this part makes me a little nervous. I have never considered myself a "photographer" and usually feel like, if I get a great shot, luck was definitely involved. This paticular evening the luck I had was bringing my daughter along with me. As we sat in the car waiting for our model to arrive, my daughter, Grace, spotted this old Pontiac parked beside a building about 500ft away from us. She very nonchalantly commented, "you should have her sit on the hood of that car over there". I'm not sure I would have even taken notice of the car had I been at the park myself. Sure enough these photos came out the best, and "My Hood" was born. Thank you Grace, and thank you to the women who have so graciously been willing to be a part of my series. Grace will be coming along to all my photo shoots from now on.

"Nicole"

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I met Nicole at a gallery opening where one of my pieces was being shown. A handful of times in my life I have met someone who immediately my mind has said "I have to draw this person" Sharing this with someone can be a bit daunting, but I gathered up the courage and told her my desire. Painfully shy she said "no way"! As we continued to talk she started telling me about her tattoos, why she got them and what they meant to her. A week later, I saw her again, and told her I'd like to incorporate her tattoos in the drawing. Immediately she said yes, and thus the series "INK" was born. Thank you Nicole for inspiring me, and allowing me to capture how beautiful I thought you were inside and out from the second I saw you.

"Southern Belle"

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The second in my series "INK".
I could probably do a series of 20 drawings just of this girl. Her playfull, flirty look, and the ink she chose to have on her body intrigues me. All artists should have a model with so many facets to her personality as this one. She is truly inspiring...and yet I have never met her. The original photo that was used to create this portrait was taken by Wendy Weber, photographer. View more of her work at www.dragonflyimages.net

Tattoo Bride

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The first in my series "INK"..."Tattoo Bride" is a 20"x30" pastel and graphite on illustration board. I loved the contrast in themes for this painting. The innoncence of a young bride against the raw edge of her tattooed skin. I found her eyes mesmerizing, and although I have never met my tattoo bride I felt as though I knew her well before this piece was completed. The original photo that was used to create this portrait was taken by Wendy Weber, photographer. View more of her work at www.dragonflyimages.net

A New Series

It has been two months since I've posted on my blog. Certainly not because I haven't been busy, but more likely because I haven't been motivated. My new series of paintings entitled "INK" is an attempt to change that. I am very excited about this series, and look forward to sharing it with you.