Ever since I was able to hold a pencil when I was little, I have been drawing. My mother meticulously kept a folder with dozens of my childhood’s scribbles and drawings: Churches, angels, several versions of Jesus on the cross, figures and faces. Growing up I would be in this beautiful German gothic cathedral every Sunday morning where the stations of the cross were painted on its walls.
My exercise books in schools were filled with little sketches. I must have been so bored! Throughout art school and later in my profession as graphic designer and fashion illustrator drawing became a daily activity which continued with sketches of people and places when travelling. In my work now drawing still remains my favourite way of mark-making. I begin each painting with a drawing using either a thick lead of graphite, a long stick dipped in ink or an oil stick. Colour, when added is muted and subtle since I have come away from more intense bright colours recently to using more natural and earthy tones derived from earth pigments which I mix with cold wax or oil. Belonging and identity are themes that resonate with me, being an immigrant. My passion is exploring the human face and figure in the context of the greatest story of all. |