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"The idea of using color in my work came from my collection
of hand-tinted, tourist postcards from the 1920's and 30's. I liked the subtle, abstract quality of the color. In an attempt
to mimic this style of coloration, I experimented with several combinations of media. Watercolor and pencil was interesting,
but the color was too muted and the paint too difficult to control. Oil pastel, gave me the intense color I wanted and was
easier to control, however working the oiliness of the pastel on top of the pencil work, tended to smear the detail.
Finally, I realized the surface was the problem. I had been working on 4-ply rag matboard; it has a nice surface for pencil
work (called a nice 'tooth') but it's like a sponge with color! You can't get back to white paper without a shovel! I needed
a surface that would let me easily manipulate the color, yet allow for the level of detail I wanted. Into my world entered
vellum! Think of a heavy duty tracing paper with a durable, almost waxy 'tooth.' The oil pastel slid onto the surface all
creamy and using a straight edge razor I could get back to the white paper with ease. Like a big scratchboard project in
grade school."
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