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May 2010 Interview by fellow artist Dawn Chandler of the Santa Fe Artist Market.

1) Describe your art — what style is it (call it what you want — tell

us about it!)

I paint impressionistic, expressive portraits and landscapes.  I like to go for the timeless and contemporary work with universal appeal.  I don’t see myself as a Southwest artist, I don’t like being pigeonholed.  I just happen to live in the southwest and inspired by my environment.  I focus on emotion, color and texture because I’m an emotional, spastic and passionate person.  I love abstract art too and have been exploring color and shapes more lately.  I like to paint outdoors and grabbing the essence of the subject, just as I enjoy to paint the faces of animals or humans to express an honest portrayal at that moment.

2) How long have you been doing what you do?

I have been doing art all my life.  I learned about my own creative potential at Montessori school in the mid 1970′s, and dabbled later in comics and illustration.  But I have been painting seriously for about 20 years.  But I still feel like a beginner and as a student.  I guess that’s how you keep moving forward.  Passion and perserverance keep me going.

3) What’s your art background? Did you study art in school? Self-taught?

Did/do you have a mentor? What got you going with this?

I have undergraduate degrees in fine art and graphic design.  I also studied Art Therapy for a year at the graduate level.  Though I took many classes in school, I learned mostly from other artists, studied art at galleries, studied the great masters like Rembrandt, Zorn, Fetchin, Monet and many others.  I’m like a sponge and learn from all sources and it molds into what I’m creating today.  In Santa Fe, my greatest mentor is nature herself.  I moved here for the nature and art scene.  Plus who doesn’t like chili here?  Santa Fe’s like my graduate school, because I improved a lot in the past year or two.

4) What are your favorite materials to work with? Why?

I love oils because of the depth of color and look.  It allows me to blend and mix my limited palette well.  I experimented with slow-drying acrylics, but it’s not quite the same depth as oils.  But I do paint more with water-soluable oils, which is more environmentally friendly.  I love to paint on thick plywood with canvas wrapped around, it’s a great support.  Paintings need to have strong backbones.

5) Why do you think people are people drawn to your work?

I’m still figuring that one out!  I keep hearing about color and texture.  With portraits, people seem to love the eyes of my animals.  I guess because there’s so much magic in looking into someone’s eyes.  Truth and beauty are found there, I believe.  So I’m doing more portrait work and see where it takes me.

6)  Where are you from? How long have you been living in New Mexico?

What brought you here?

I have been here since July 4, 2006.  I first moved here in 1997 but just stayed a few months.  I wasn’t ready and felt too overwhelmed the first time.  But this place got under my skin and soul and I decided to try again.  I felt it was important to be in a strong art environment too.  Art, nature, great food, and forming my own identity were all factors in moving here.

7)  How long have you been involved with the SF Art Market? Why do you

do the Market? What’s your favorite thing about doing the Market?

I’ve been involved with the art market since March 2010.  I heard it was a great venue to show art, especially since I didn’t want to belong to any gallery.  I believe putting yourself and your art out there is essential for an artist’s success, and the SF Artist Market provides the space, friendly vendors, and interesting strangers from all walks of life.  Though it’s a bit soon to tell, my favorite thing is learning from other artists who has been doing this for years.  There’s a certain pirate spirit here that I can relate to here.   Plus a few good sales doesn’t hurt either!

 Anything else you’d like to share? Feel free! (you can use more pages

if you want)

Despite what’s happening in the world, like war and economy, I believe art will always exist and I would like to see everyone buy original art from these vendors.  Art provides a necessary role in society and I hope I can contribute well.  These vendors put their hearts and souls on the line every Saturday and so much of it is great work and affordable.  Give yourself the gift of art, you won’t regret it!

Thanks for visiting again, your support means the world to me!