Why Replicate When You Can Celebrate?

Last week I picked up this magnolia tree cone on a walk. It’s easy to pass by one of these and see it as a brown mass. So when I sketched it, I decided not only to draw it larger than life, but also highlight what first struck me about it: it’s assortment of scraggly textures.

I guess this is a thread I carry through all my work: I want to not just replicate, I want to celebrate. It could be texture, pattern, color or action: If it caught my eye, I’m gonna make sure you know that when you look at my piece.

I’ve drawn this man before. His face is a delight of texture that I love to draw. It reminds me of this tree in my neighborhood.

I feel like that about color too: when I spot a jewel tone I love, even a subtle hint of it in something I’m painting, I’m going to celebrate that color.