FOCUS ON

I

always knew I wanted to be

an artist, and growing up

surrounded by mountains

and wildlife I was never short

of inspiration. When I was 14,

I decided I was going to take

my artwork seriously and made

up a portfolio and showed it to

some of the top artists at the Wild

Sheep Foundation auction, who

critiqued and encouraged me. I

donated my first drawing to one of

their live auctions when I was 18

and my piece was the top seller.

That definitely opened my eyes

and made me believe I could call

myself an artist.

I grew up in a very remote area

of British Columbia amongst the

mountains and had all sorts of

wild encounters growing up. I’ve

traveled to africa to see wildlife

in their natural habitat as well.

When I was 18 I moved to New

Zealand, met my partner and am a

resident of this incredible country.

Robert Bateman is a great

inspiration because he is such a

famous Canadian artist who gives

so much back to the wildlife.

Also Joshua Spies and Laurel

Barbier who are chasing their

dreams as artists and create such

inspiring work. Every day I look

out my windows at these beautiful

mountains and I see something

different about them to love.

Being an artist makes me see

something special about nature no

matter how simple it may seem to

someone else.

I dream of one day having a

gallery and studio where people

can come see my work, have a

famous Canadian cinnamon bun

and great coffee and enjoy an

amazing flower garden, a really

beautiful place where people can

absorb the beauty I see. I want

Madison

Drinkall

my pet deer to live behind a big airy barn style

building, and I want to serve great coffee.

I am currently working on a New Zealand

bird series, drawing each unique bird with my

signature style soft background. I am also looking

into making cushions and other things with my

artwork on them. I feel that I am able to branch

out more with my creativity - I have always

strived for realism but want to try new things now.

I have learned that I can honestly do anything

if I try hard enough and follow my passion and

dream.

I would say my absolute favourite things to

draw would be deer and birds, I love their eyes

and the emotion they show. My favourite medium

is pencil, of course, its what I’ve always used and

I love how they can break the subject down to

black and white and show off the subjects simple

beauty. My 2h pencil is my favourite, it gets a

nice finish and has that perfect hardness to blend

the way I like.

I collect all my reference photos from the

client for their custom piece or from my stash of

photos, and I get an initial sketch done to get the

size and proportions all right. Then I get really

excited about the piece and the roller coaster

begins. I go through extreme highs and lows of

emotion as the lessons abound through each

piece. The final details and background shading

go in last to tie it all together.

I have always used Staedtler pencils because

they give a really nice soft finish to the drawing I

can blend them to the perfect smooth look. As for

erasers I use monozero elastomer eraser because

its like using a pencil but in reverse, I’m actually

drawing white.

I thoroughly enjoy gardening, hiking,

running, and I also love to bake. I find baking

and gardening very rewarding as I can create

something from nothing and make something

beautiful. I’ve had many artists telling me I have

to learn to paint but I love pencil and I believe

there will be others out there who do too.