Sue Daugherty

Pastel, Oil, Acrylic

Artist’s Statement

Series: Tulips by a Window

This pastel series, Tulips by a Window, was inspired by the paintings of Henri Matisse. I am drawn to his use of intense colour, his simplification of forms, and his pure love of Life! His life work includes many still life paintings which always pull me into his world through the light he uses to create a “still life” that becomes a dynamic visual melody.

I love using the pastel medium because it allows me to work in a loose and open way that enhances my ability to put down marks spontaneously yet precisely. Also, colour mixing is easily done directly on the surface to allow for immediate visual coordination with the subject being depicted.

Using pastels also encourages me to refine the relationship and interaction of juxtaposed colours very quickly, without the delay of mixing on a palette.

I use a coloured sanded paper to work on, because I like the responsiveness of the medium to this paper. Its characteristics bond the colour onto the surface, and embed the medium more fully into the paper. The sand adds a richness not achieved by other textured papers like watercolour paper, or illustration board.