Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why trains?
A: An artist has to pick one venue or another or risk never doing anything anyone wants. I did some train work for the men I love, husband, father, and father-in-law. My husband suggested it might go further. I was starting to love it, so the rest is history.
Q: Can you do work from a photograph I have in my collection?
A: Sure! You bet I can. Some of my current pieces started off as a family heirloom photo of a grandfather or family train journeys from years gone by. I've also worked from original photos taken by hobbyists, rail fans and other folks who chase trains … like my husband and father-in-law.
Q: Do you do "special requests?"
A: Yes, I have created some pieces based on popular demand from my customers and friends. Most of my buddies in the local model railroading club are great sources for these requests, and some the subjects they have suggested are now a part of my offerings. But there has to be a demand and interest in the subject.
Q: How long does it usually take from the time you start a piece until it is ready?
A: It all depends on the level of complexity. I generally tell people between 40 and 60 hours, but pieces like trestles, roundhouses, and highly detailed steam locomotives can take 100 hours-to make a long story short, one to two weeks. Of course, everything depends on how much time my 7 and 11 years old daughters allow me.
Q: Do you ever rerun a series after the initial 500 are sold?
A: I initially offer my pen and ink pieces in two sizes, 11"x14" and 18"x24", with the limited number of 500 prints. After the 500th piece is sold, it is retired. However, should any piece be re-issued, it will only be done so in sizes other than those already sold. For instance, my piece done of the Union Pacific Roundhouse in Ogden, Utah, was my first to be retired. It's been re-issued in a colorized print.
Q: Do you ever sell your originals?
A: Yes, originals in my collection have sold and are in private hands. Some of my originals are still available for sale. When the original is sold, along with all of the 500 prints of each initial offering size, then those pieces are permanently retired. If you are interested in obtaining any of the originals in my collection, please contact me directly.
Q: On an average, how many original pieces of art do you create each year?
A: Now that my children are old enough to dress themselves and take care of their basic hygiene needs, I have more time to devote to my artwork. In my best year ever, I produced 30 pen and ink pieces.
Q: Do you do any color work?
A: About two years ago, while sitting at my table at a train show, I decided I would "colorize" one of my pen and ink pieces. That work drew so many people to my table, wanting to purchase the piece, that yes, now I colorize some of my work. Any piece in my collection, however, can be colorized. I use nothing but the finest color art pencils for vivid shades and hues. I work from color source material to make sure everything matches prototypical paints. Some of the hand-colorized pieces became too popular for me to keep up with the demand, so I began offering Giclee color prints from the hand-colorized.
Q: Have you ever considered working with oils, rather than pen and ink?
A: There are plenty of excellent oil artists out there who do wonderful work with railroading subjects. Some of my favorites are those of my friend Marc Desobeau, but don't tell him, because it would just give him new material to tease me about. As for me, yes I can work in oil, but I truly prefer to stay with pen and ink as it is my forté. I also do quite of bit of portrait work (human and equine) in pencil, colored pencil, and pastel.
Q: You draw trains, depots and other railroad scenes, but what do you know about railroading?
A: My father worked for the Southern Pacific and was a huge fan of the old Pacific Electric system, so I was raised with railroading. My father-in-law worked for the Union Pacific for 14 years and then the Santa Fe railroad for another 22 years, and my husband worked for the Chicago and Northwestern for a few years. All three of the men in my life are also rail fans who love to talk, chase, photograph and model railroads. I am an avid fan of the Rio Grande Southern and D&RGW. If you catch me at a train show some time, stop and talk with me and we'll share our combined railroading knowledge. But I have to admit, I know a lot more now than I did when I started in 1995, and I wish I'd paid much more attention as a teenager on those train chasing vacations!
Q: Do you draw anything other than trains and depots?
A: Ever since I could hold a pencil (my parents found pencil far easier to get off the walls), my favorite thing to draw was figures. In junior high during the Beatle craze, I accidentally discovered a natural flair for portraiture-it all began with Paul McCartney. Soon my friends' parents and neighbors all had me doing portraits of their children. Paul Bimmerman, a friend's father got me started drawing horses. I ended up putting myself through college doing portraits. I also have an affinity for architectural drawing-classical building forms, beautiful homes and elegant castles. I can't deny that portraiture is my first love, and it undoubtedly is why I enjoy doing pieces with people. My favorite photos to find? A locomotive, a depot or other structure, and people.
Q: Are you ever willing to bargain, trade or barter your work?
A: My dentist and lawyer, as well as many folks who attend the train shows where I have exhibited, will tell you that I am always open for barter. Nothing wrong with an ages' old, proven method of giving and getting what you want or need. Not that I am an old country doctor trading pigs for prints, but I am open and willing to listen to a good barter. Then again, a side of pork might not be too bad for the grill!
