I remember sitting with my Dad as a child watching the birds at our backyard feeders, learning to identify them and record their comings and goings. He taught me to observe each bird closely and to see them as individuals. As an artist I bring this same practice of careful observation to my pastel paintings of birds and wildlife. The richness of pastels is the perfect medium to depict the subtle color shifts that occur tacross feathers and fur, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing colors shift and blend as each work develops.