I am a nature artist working in colored pencil. My style is highly detailed and realistic with a softness meant to reflect nature’s fragility. My recent subject matter has shown the effects climate change has brought to my home state of Michigan, from the endangered Monarch butterfly to shorelines inundated by record high lake levels. I am not an in your face artist. I believe beautiful images can still convey a powerful message. Initially my art engages with its esthetics, but with closer inspection questions over what my drawing is actually about lead to environmental conversations. I use my own photos for reference. I sketch my composition and transfer it to acid free drawing or watercolor paper. The paper must be strong enough to endure repeated erasures and burnishing with enough texture to accept heavily applied pigment but not so much that it impedes fine detail. To ensure long lasting art, I use only professional quality pencils with the highest light fastness ratings.