Great expectations and small wonders Painting

Animals both, wild and domestic have always been fascinating to me. To express my intrigue I paint, draw and sculpt these creatures hoping to portray their strength, beauty and freedom. Part of my process is to observe, photograph, draw, and research the specific creature I am about to recreate. I become intimately involved. Sometimes I am able to identify each animal I paint by their given name, like Conga, the leopard—a resident of Lions, Tigers and Bears, a wildlife sanctuary in Alpine, CA. I like painting animals that fill the canvas. This allows myself and others to get up close and personal. I don't feel the necessity to paint every detail; rather, I concentrate on expressing the animals compelling presence, at times using only pallet knife, by working in strong contrasts of light and dark, using vivid colors.