ChalkDustStudio

Ever since I can remember I have always been involved in some form of art, then in 2004 I was introduced to soft pastels and I fell in love. The combination of drawing, painting and being able to work a piece hands on is an aspect of the pastel medium I enjoy most. When I step back to look at a work in progress and look down to see that not only am I covered in a rainbow of finger smudges but also layers of "chalk dust" has blanketed my work area and Gunney (my cairn terrier) who likes to lay under my easel as I work, all I can do is smile because as a self taught pastel artist I am still amazed at my own work! In 2005 I started working more with graphic design, website programming and digital images. Although my first love will always be hands-on with pastels and paper standing in front of an easel, after taking a PhotoShop course and attending a few graphic/web design seminars I am enjoying the graphics world. With a degree in Computer Drafting and Design and a background in Civil Engineering I have a range of drawing skills from very technical AutoCAD/MicroStation drawings to the relaxed flow of soft pastels. With taking numerous reference photos for paintings, in 2006 I took a photography course to improve my knowledge of the digital SLR camera I had. What began as a simple quest for better reference photos turned in to a hobby and another creative outlet... landscape photography.