Portfolio of Works

My primary interest is botanical illustration, and my favorite medium in watercolor (although I often do preliminary sketches in graphite and/or ink).  More to come.   

These are reinterpretations and original compositions inspired by the Persian miniatures of the 1600's.  Theyare painted in gouache with gold filigree on hand tea-stained paper.  Persian miniatures are named "miniatures" because of the artists' use of new mineral based pigments, not because of their size.  Persion miniatures of this period provide wonderful studies in composition and detail, as well as culture.  Persia in the 1600's was strongly influenced by Asian art in form and madly in love with European costuming. 

These painting were created under the guidance of Iranian artist Mehri Dadgar, with whom this artist was privileged to work when she was just beginning to study art.  To learn more about Mehri Dadgar, visit these sites:  http://www.mehridadgar.com/ and http://taragallery.org/artists/mehri-dadgar/

I always knew I loved watercolor.  My mother's medium.  But I went through a lot of work with pencil, charcoal, pen and ink (micron pens and dipping pens) and other media to learn the basics of drawing. Along that path I discovered that there are nuances that only graphite can convey  That charcoal, while messy, has wonderful texture.  That pen and ink, especially when enhanced with wash or accented with a bit of color, is beautifully descriptive and conveys wonderful line.  These are some of my pen & ink, charcoal and graphite works...most from my early years of study.

When I first began drawing and studying art seriously, I leaned naturally toward the botanical but did a lot of work to develop drawing skills, perspective, and other basic skills. I was particularly challenged by and attracted to glass and cloth.  I enjoy some of my early work because of its freshness.