INFLUENCES
My favorite painters were, and still are, the Pre-Raphaelites. William Holman Hunt, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Sir John Edward Millais, Lord Leighton, Evelyn de Morgan and John William Waterhouse, to name a few. I still use them for reference and look to their works for guidance and inspiration. Technique to die for, and always a message. I am also inspired by my old fairy tale books, especially those illustrated by Adrienne Segur, and currently, the newer updated fairy tale books illustrated by Laurel Long.
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Duirwaigh Gallery
Duirwaigh Gallery has the most amazing fantasy art collection I’ve seen. They have the best selection of original, magical art anywhere. I constantly check out their site to look at the newest fantasy art.
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Mark Ryden
Mark Ryden inspired me to start experimenting with glazes. I was also inspired to paint whatever I want no matter how strange it might seem. In the ‘strange” category he will always have me beat. I am continually inspired by his use of color and sense of mockery.
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Kinuko Y. Craft
I’ve always loved fairy tales, and no one illustrates them like Kinuko Craft. I learned how to paint pearls and other jewels by studying her books.
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Russell Patterson
Russell Patterson, my maternal grandfather: “Father of the Flapper”, illustrator, costume stag an interior designer, architect, cartoonist, co-founder of the National Cartoonist Society, puppeteer, artist, fashion maverick and judge of all the first “Miss America” contests. Check out his Wikipedia page. I ask him for help when I try doing perspective.