As a Tucson native, I grew to appreciate the diverse cultures, unique faces, and the beauty of my southwestern surroundings. I found it intriguing that although people share similar features, no two faces look exactly alike.

From a young age, I drew what interested me. During an art project in kindergarten, my teacher called my parents to inform them that I was an artist. I was thankful for her words as they led to art supplies and encouragement. At age 13, I created my first realistic portrait and found my passion in painting the expressive features of the human face.

Through the years, I explored various media: oil, acrylic, ink, airbrush, and charcoal. I found that charcoal allows for a dramatic range in contrast between highlights and dark tones, making it one of my favorites. Faces from the Old West have always been of interest to me, and I was inspired also by my Cherokee ancestry, focusing on Native Americans from the 1800′s.

Each portrait I draw begins like an exciting new adventure. Every line, shadow and highlight produce a distinct feature; a unique facial expression. I enjoy the challenge of studying the fine detail of my subjects and then communicating them onto my paper. My desire is to render each portrait as life-like as possible.