Pastel Paintings and Custom Portraits

The moment I tried pastel, it was LOVE at first touch! My passion for drawing now had an expression in color.
I am inspired by many subjects, but the ones that fascinate and excite me the most are people – especially those caught in the midst of life, unaware they are being observed.
When painting, I expand on what I see, keeping my strokes visible, allowing the viewer to "see my hand" and better experience my process as well as the interaction of color. The various papers I use have a rough texture to hold the pastel pigment. They can also be sanded, similar to common sand paper. This surface allows me to layer colors that stay where I put them, without disturbing those underneath.
For me, there's a joy in transforming the commonplace into something unexpected. It is a feeling I hope to share!