casandra Petruchyk

When I draw I feel connected to an energy flow that travels between my brain and my hand. It is a source of comfort to me to empty my brain into my hand and onto the paper. I choose my drawing tools by how they feel in my hand when they touch the paper. Lately, with compromised physical ability, I am using a smooth bristol board paper,small enough for me to handle with ease.

My earliest work was very focused on what I was going through as a young woman. It got diffiult for me to maintain that degree of self focus and I was next drawn to domestic animals friends had as pets. I volunteered finding homes for animals at the Humane Society and later in a wildlife clinic. I got to know many of those creatures and celebrated them, working to portray the character of each through portrait drawings I created of them.

Upon the death of Sinead O’Conner, remembering the impact of her lyrics on me, and along with the many photographic portraits published then, I felt compelled to make my own portrait drawing of her.

That action led me directly into drawing what I term “portraits of emotions,” many felt universally and others more specific to women. In creating these I draw from my childhood background in theater. I use my face to portray particular feelings which I then photograph. These become reference material. I draw from them improvisationally: following the line that I have drawn on the paper, in permanent ink, to the one that will come next.

I feel that my subject matter has been chosen for me. It has become a calling. I want to give voice to those of us who have dealt with hardship and inequality. I believe strongly in civil rights for all living things. I think that all living things are aware and should be treated with care.

Artist’s Website.