Biography
As a graphite artist my objective is to produce art which is created to bring life and emotion to my subject. With the absence of color, I embrace the challenge to make my work come alive. The techniques discovered through drawing birds and their surroundings has equipped me to successfully use these techniques in other subjects. These techniques have been applied to drawing portraits and I have found the challenge and change of subject matter a most rewarding experience. My drawings are molded using a range of pencils together with the white paper I work on, until the demand for contrast and depth has been achieved using shades of grey. Whether birds or portraits are being drawn, I always start with the eyes. Through the eyes of my subject, I strive to connect the viewer to their character or personality. Penguin Books South Africa approached me to collaborate with well known author, Marguerite Poland, in 2012. The commission was to illustrate the birds for Marguerite's memoir aptly entitled 'Taken Captive by Birds'. It was an incredible experience to work with such a respected author and major publisher. 'Taken Captive by Birds' was selected by radio personality Jenny Crwys-Williams as her non-fiction book of the year for 2012 and short listed for the Nielsen Booksellers' Choice Award 2013. In 2013 I entered the artwork 'Marty Whitman' in the Sanlam National Portrait Competition. This portrait was selected in the top 80 of roughly 1800 entries in South Africa. This portrait lead to being commissioned to draw my most recent portrait of 'Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela'. Limited edition prints are individually numbered, dated, signed and accompany a certificate of authenticity. They are printed on hahnemuhle 100% cotton 308gsm paper and are archival to at least 150 years.
