Artist Statement, Lisa Clough "Lachri" There are only two times I feel complete. When I paint, and when I'm playing violin. In that order. An emptiness fills me, consumes me, tears me apart. This is only put to ease with either a paint brush, or a violin in my hand. It is during these times I am cosest to God and most content. I work in several mediums. Primarily Oil, Acrylic, Colored Pencil, Graphite, and Charcoal. Acrylic is my first love. Most of my acrylics are painted with brushwork. I normally use the airbrush only for certain effects. I love the fast drying time of this water based paint. It allows me to move from layer to layer quickly. I despise the drybrush technique used so often in acrylic. In my mind, if you can look at one of my acrylic paintings and know it is acrylic based on brush strokes, I have failed. I often do an acrylic underpainting for my oils. This allows me several benefits. I am able to not be so critical of every last brush stroke of the acrylic knowing I will be going over it in oil, yet I can take advantage of that fast drying time allowing me to move through the work in less time. Its not that I rush my work, I just don't enjoy sitting for a day waiting for paint to dry if I don't have to. This is important to me being that I use SO many transparent layers to create more depth. Essentially this means I paint the piece twice, once in acrylic, and again in oil on top of the acrylic. Each painting easily has 20-60 layers. Although in my mind I am never good enough, I still know any talent I have is a gift from God. I pray now that as time goes on I will continue to grow and improve in my skill as I grow closer to Him. In Him I can do all things, without Him I am nothing. -Lisa-