Pairs with:

Statement from the Artist:

"Cinzia"

This fifteen-hour drawing was completed in 2006 while I was studying at the Ryder Studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico, under the instruction of Tony Ryder. It is an exploration of light and shadow, using the white of the paper as light and graphite to define form and its gradual transitions into shadow.

The Ryder Studio offered an environment devoted to prolonged study of the figure, portrait, and still life, emphasizing observation, structure, and refinement. In 2006, digital technology was on the rise, and social media was still in its infancy. At the same time, Classical Realism was experiencing a revival.

"Rudy"

This three-hour drawing was completed in 2026 at the Woodstock School of Art in Woodstock, New York, with no instruction. Like *Cinzia*It is a study of light and shadow, but with a different approach: a toned background serves as shadow, graphite defines form, and white chalk establishes the light. The blue background is an experimental mixture of watercolor and acrylic pastel ground. The Woodstock School of Art is an eclectic environment offering classes in basic drawing, painting, and sculpture, with approaches in both abstraction and realism.

In 2026, technology is woven into everyday life, and social media has transformed how we communicate. Classical Realism is now an established part of the contemporary art world. These drawings represent the yin and yang of my artistic journey. *Cinzia* reflects a period of disciplined study and technical refinement, while *Rudy* marks a movement toward greater experimentation and personal exploration.

Has something been lost, and something gained? I believe so. The discipline of prolonged study offers a depth of understanding that cannot be rushed, while experimentation invites discovery and new ways of seeing. The pendulum swings in art as it does in society. These drawings, created twenty years apart, reflect not only the evolution of my artistic practice but also the changing culture in which they were made.