About The Artist

Of all the elements of my life that I enjoy, that give meaning and reward to my days, art tops the list. A self-taught artist, I've been drawing and painting since I was old enough to pick up a crayon and have been learning by experimentation and practice ever since. I've lived in many parts of this country and have found enrichment and inspiration in each of them, but the people I've met and the animals I've known and admired have made a greater impression on me than anything else, and that's why I've chosen them as the focus of most of my artwork.

When I work on portraits, I'm intensely aware of my subjects as individuals. Their outward appearance is only one part of who they are, and my goal is to create portraits that bring out the energy, warmth, complexity and richness of each person and animal I draw as well as representing their appearance accurately. For my Faithful Friends portraits I use graphite exclusively, because it allows me to create artwork that combines great detail with softness and subtlety, to combine many variations in texture and tone, and to bring it all together in a cohesive and lively work of art.

I begin each portrait with my subject's eyes. Our eyes are where our spirit shines out, and if those aren't right, the rest of the portrait can be technically perfect but I would consider it a failure. Once I know the eyes are drawn just right, I can continue with the rest of the portrait. When my work is going well, I am filled with a sense of connection with my subjects; it's almost as if we were sitting together chatting like friends and sharing the creative process. For this reason, I appreciate learning about my subjects as well as seeing their photographs. The more I know about who you are, the better able I am to reflect the nuances of your personality in my work. When people see my portraits, I'd like them to feel that they are meeting my subjects in person.

Several years ago I was involved in a serious traffic accident that left me with severe head injuries. As I recovered, I found to my dismay and disbelief that my ability to draw was gone. Consultation with doctors, neurologists and other specialists offered little hope; each told me that I shouldn't expect to be able to regain my previous skills. But telling an artist she can't create art is a bit like telling the sun it can't shine I refused to believe it. Day after day, month after month, I painstakingly traced over light copies of my earlier work, line by line and dot by dot. Our brains are wonderfully adaptive, and mine gradually taught itself new ways to do what it had always done so effortlessly.

Eventually I learned to draw as well as I ever had, and in fact my work is better now than it ever was. I know I appreciate it more, realize what a gift it is, and am more determined than ever to do artwork that not only fulfills my life but brings joy and richness to the lives of others. It would be a joy and an honor to share that gift with you, to create a portrait for you that you and your family will treasure for many years.

You can contact Raven at 503-394-2021 or portraits@ravenokeefe.com