Artist Highlight

I use painting as a means to get away. Many who view my artwork say they want to go to that place. One of my goals is to draw the viewer into the piece so they can get lost in it. I begin each piece with an image in my mind. Sometimes the place is a place I have been that inspired me and other times completely from my imagination. I build this place in my mind, deciding colors, atmosphere and the placement of the objects. I usually do sketches of the image before painting. My challenge is to transfer this mental picture onto canvas. Other times I just sit down and begin painting, having absolutely no idea what the end result will be. I truly enjoy getting caught up in the painting process. It often is a release for me.