My recent work focuses on close-up drawings of the natural environment, with the intention of creating an image that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. These works are inspired by and representative of nature, while remaining abstract enough in composition to invite a range of viewer interpretations. Some of these images were found accidentally on walks through woods, fields, and on roads, while others were sought by exploring a specific place or setting for inspiration. When I find a combination of shapes or colors, or a pattern of light and shadow that appeals to me, I’ll take several photographs, often returning to the same scene during the day to observe different lighting situations. After reviewing the photographs, I’ll crop, manipulate, or combine multiple images into a final composition that I transfer to paper and begin the drawing process while using the photograph as reference. My medium is wax crayon on black paper, and my technique incorporates multiple layers of gestural strokes that result in a rich, textural effect. Although my drawings don’t necessarily mimic conventional landscapes with a foreground, middleground, and background, they rely heavily on the application of fundamental drawing principles and those learned as a graphic designer to create an image that is both original and provocative, yet respectful of its subject.