For me, drawing from nature is a starting point not an end in itself. While I am carefully recording with pen or pencil what I see I am also thinking, "What if."

So, while drawing the Monarch butterflies that were resting in San Luis Obispo County’s eucalyptus trees during their long migration, I asked myself, "What if they were small faerie folk resting for a short time before continuing on their long journey?" This question led to Free Spirits, a band of faeries froliking in a lemon tree. 

I enjoy this piece because often people don’t see the faeries. They only see butterflies. It takes a second look for them to see the human bodies with butterfly wings.

I strive for images that demand a second look.