24 Works on Paper Artists: Sarah Atlee

To give insight into the works included in the 24 Works on Paper exhibition, Ryan Pack has interviewed some of the participating artists about their work in the show. The exhibition is now at the Eleanor Hays Gallery at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa. It will continue there until October 14. 24 Works on Paper will continue to travel the state through August 2010.

Sarah Atlee
For those of you who created portraits: Why have people inspired your piece? What is it about portraiture that interests you?
When left to my own devices, I have always created portraits. There is something so satisfying in depicting the human face, with all its nuances and unique details. It's both challenging and rewarding. In addition to the aesthetic challenge, I enjoy portraying emotions and personality, even when it's subconscious. Portraits mirror the subject, the artist, and the viewer.

Would you care to tell us about the technique you used for your piece? And why the technique appeals to you?
I created the portrait "romy" with Pigma Micron 01 pens on Rives BFK paper. It took about 40 hours. I enjoy creating a mass accumulation of tiny marks. The Micron pen allows me to use a wide tonal range and build up rich darks. I worked from photographs of the subject, and let the image take on its own character on the paper.