"Sweet Magnolia" Dolly Parton Portrait Painting

As a painter, I find inspiration in the expressions of my subjects. I employ fluid marks and bright colors in my work to showcase the ephemeral quality of these expressions. Within this realm, my work varies from pop art to contemporary, and I am continuously moving along the continuum between the two. I tend to work in series, either in regard to the materials used or in the exploration of a particular subject. I usually work on four pieces at a time within a series to give the pieces a more fluid feel. For example, I will draw out my subjects on all four canvases first. Then I will do the background of all four together to assure continuity. Once that is done, I paint the focal points and finish them one by one. ​ After years of working with acrylics, I discovered Ink and may never go back. With ink I find a more fluid continuity then I did with acrylics. I am obsessed with the shimmer and shine, especially when I use metallics in my inks. Inks also allow me to blend in almost the same way as oils. I very rarely ever use more than four to five colors in any series.