Lynchburg Living

Art

Age: 56

Occupation: Watercolor Artist, Administrative Specialist at The Arc of Central Virginia

Hometown: Lynchburg, Virginia

Tell us about your work as a realistic watercolor artist. How did you come to learn to paint?

I have always had the ability to draw, inheriting it from my father and grandfathers. Having the ability to capture the light and shadows of a subject as well as the personality of an animal gives me such a great feeling of accomplishment. I love to step back and look at a completed pet portrait, knowing the owner will be happy with the finished painting.

Much of your work is derived from nature — animals, flowers, etc. What draws you to paint these types of things?

I paint the things I love, which is nature, including landscapes, animals and flowers. The bright colors of flowers and animals caught in the middle of mischief are such inspirations for me.

What is your favorite piece of art to date that you’ve created?

Everything I paint is special to me; I believe that special feeling towards each subject helps the painting develop. My favorite piece of art is called “Winter’s Edge,” a painting of cows standing in the snow on the edge of a pond with a Collie in the background. I love snow, dogs and cows and the combination of the three in this painting makes me smile when I look at it.

You recently got in touch with us to paint our last “Oh Snap” winner–a cat named Van. Why did this picture inspire you?

The gentle, loving expression in Van’s eyes inspired me, in spite of all the pain and suffering he had endured, he is a “loving teddy bear.”

As someone who paints a lot of animals, do you have many pets yourself? I have two Yorkshire Terriers named Carley and Terra, a Cairn Terrier named Mandy and a British Shorthair cat named Loki.

Are there other local artists who inspire you?

I have always loved and been inspired by Lou Messa’s and Robert Flower’s landscapes and thankfully, I own a few of their original paintings.

What is your hope as an artist for your work?

My hope for my work is that people will look at my art for the pleasure of enjoying a wonderful piece created with love, knowing that the subjects are real. To bring a smile to someone’s face when they view my paintings makes it worth the time and effort put into each piece of art.

Is there anything else about your watercolors that you would like our readers to know?

My watercolors have been purchased and have traveled to many parts of the world. As an artist, it is a wonderful feeling knowing that on the other side of the world, someone is enjoying a painting that meant so much to me. Locally, my art can be seen at the Lynchburg City Market or at www.reflectiveglow.com. Be sure to check out this year’s show schedule.