Exploration is inspiration for me. I love exploring media and subject matter. I’ve been inspired by my visits to MIA galleries. I always find something interesting and beautiful in the collection. I am inspired by the real thing – the art object in space and light – especially sculpture or designed objects – and especially those with an open structure. (I have my eye on Nick Cave’s Sound Suit for my next visit.) I tend to favor the permanent collection, as I know they’ll be there, to appreciate and re-examine, again and again.

Drawing brings me closer to the object. It slows me down. Sometimes I sit down and spend time studying and making and constructing. Sometimes I work quickly and move on in my exploration of the collection. In the past year, I’ve been investigating non-traditional media, creating digital drawings with a stylus on an iPad in an Adobe app called Draw. The app limits me to work only in flat color and line and I’m enjoying boldness of color and form. I am inspired by regarding the art object with a maker’s eyes, not replicating but constructing, arranging, editing and re-constructing. In this regard, I’m inspired by thoughts of the masters:

“Realize that a drawing is not a copy. It is a construction in very different materials. A drawing is an invention.” -Robert Henri

“Art does not reproduce the visible but makes visible.” -Paul Klee

“It’s all a big game of construction – some with a brush – some with a shovel – some choose a pen.” -Jackson Pollock