Artist’s Statement

I draw and paint because it helps me to see and understand the world. Inspired by classical sculpture and renaissance drawings and paintings, the focus of my personal exploration has been naturalism and realism.

I have chosen birds as subjects for my art since I was a child. There is a beauty and mystery to them, seen only in fleeting moments, that draws me to them again and again. Quite simply, they take my breath away and I am grateful we share the planet.

I work in egg tempera for two main reasons. First and foremost because of the unique luminous quality of the paint. Secondly, because of the technical requirements of the medium. The paint must be made fresh daily—finely grinding pigment powders and mixing with fresh egg yolk and water—and then laid down in a slow build up of thin strokes, layer upon layer. It’s really more like drawing (my first love) than painting.

The work for me is like a meditation. The long history of egg tempera painting gives me a feeling of deep connection to artists past, just as the meditative study—the observation—gives me a sense of deep connection with the subject.

If my paintings stir in you a bit of wonder and awe for birds, then I consider my work to be a success.