Natural images full of color, shape, and texture have always captivated me, and my artwork attempts to recreate these personal responses. I picked up an ink pen with the intent to challenge myself, make quicker decisions in a more permanent medium, but unexpectedly, a new style emerged. These drawings highlight the surreal within our everyday world, the way sunlight transforms rock into a glowing animal or water can hold secrets.The pen allows for little error in technical rendering but also forces a trust and confidence in myself to recognize when an image is successful. I am only satisfied with a drawing when my eye is carried from one corner to the next, focusing on intricate details. The piece feels almost interactive. Has something been hidden in the shadows? If I listen closely enough, will the bubbling pool tell me what I know it is hiding from me?These images not only celebrate the beauty of the Lake Superior area but hopefully provoke memories within the viewers’ minds of their own quiet oasis.