Artist Statement

"Because the human face has always fascinated me, my first art works centered around the figure and portraiture. Over the years I have continued to paint and draw the human face, always pursuing the most accurate and authentic way of capturing the sitter's expression, character, and surroundings.

"In this series I have chosen to portray the faces of Chicagoans in the Arts. These 6" x 6" carbon pencil drawings depict various individuals who participate in and engage with the Arts; their contributions to the vitality of the arts in Chicago are immeasurable.

"Conveying poses and expressions of the individual participants, with backgrounds reflective of their professions, these works aim to capture the essence of each sitter. And, while each piece can be viewed as a work complete unto itself, the series aims to capture the range of emotions people experience when engaging in artistic endeavors, such as solitude, humor, inspiration, energy, reflection, inquiry, thoughtfulness, frustration, contemplation, and joy."

The series, still in progress, consists of over 60 drawings to date.