My leaf paintings came to be by way of experimenting on unconventional surfaces. The process starts in the Fall season with walks around neighborhoods and parks collecting leaves. I sort and identify the leaves and prepare them for pressing. They are placed between boards and cotton paper, and weighted down for three months to ensure they are completely dry and flat. When I decide on an image I want to paint, I sort through the collection to find one that best suits what I have in mind, making adjustments to the image to better suit the leaf. Since the leaves are extremely delicate, no preliminary drawing can be done so the painting begins immediately. The process is slow and delicate. Once the painting is finished and dry, I then sign the back and the leaf is sealed on both sides with three coats of varnish.
My charcoal drawings and pastel paintings give me another avenue to explore and express my appreciation of nature and animals. I try to capture the animal’s personality and beauty in close up portraits.
Dot art is a practice in patience and focus. The method of dipping a tool into paint and making a mark is simple, but the creation of the piece is often an adventure since it builds organically and changes as it evolves. What you originally planned often differs from what is created, and it is usually much better for it.
