I fell in love with drawing and painting at an early age. Encouraged by the diversity of art that the west coast had to offer, I explored the tradition and historical importance of works at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and to installations and contemporary pieces at galleries in and around that city, as well as numerous trips to the cultural centers of Europe. I felt fortunate to have been exposed to a broad spectrum of influences and was especially affected by the work of Hans Holbein, one of the greatest draftsmen of his age.
I viewed an exhibition of his drawings at the Queens Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London in the summer of 1969. I was eleven years old and its effects linger to this day. When many of the same drawings came to the J. Paul Getty Museum in the Winter of 1982, I was delighted to renew my acquaintance with the work of this great master. This experience reinforced my method of creating a fully realized drawing before any paint is applied to the canvas.
“The artist should build their work on fine craftsmanship, which means that they must be the master of their medium and technique. The techniques I have spent my conscious life studying have allowed me the freedom to pursue the vision that is in my heart.” – Monica Ratliff
