Soft pastels have given me a means of exploring the subtleties of light and shadow that I see in nature. One can be very direct with them. Their tactile nature and responsiveness make them especially satisfying to work with, and their endless range of colors and ease of use on a variety of supports makes them even more appealing to me. Soft pastels can be difficult to manage en plein air, but they are more than worth the trouble.

Because I live in the northeast I have two studios: the outdoors when weather permits, and my indoor studio when our famously fickle Upstate New York weather is too cold or wet to paint outside. Our family farm is in close proximity to the Adirondacks, so I have more than enough subject matter to entice me. But since I enjoy the dramatic interplay of rocks, sea and sky, I leave the lakes and meadows of home and migrate yearly to the coast of Maine to focus on my painting and writing. Soft pastels are a perfect choice for me whether I am working in the studio or on location outdoors.