Artist

Detail, pattern, and playful designs characterize Wendy Currier's unique style of pen & ink illustration. This self-taught artist prefers areas of solid black and bright white for a sharp contrast, but will occasionally use colored ink.

Currier relies on excellent materials such as Staedtler Marsmatic 700 and Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph technical pens with black India ink on smooth, hot press 2-4 ply bristol board 9 x 12 to 30 x 40 inches.

"The larger the area, the more detail I can draw, and that's exciting," says Currier.

Inspired by book illustrators of the 1800's, Japanese prints, and illuminated manuscripts, Currier says no subjects are off limits. Her studio contains a large library of reference books and sketch pads filled with patterns.

Black and white is known as classical and timeless and Wendy Currier's illustrations are right in style.

“Pen & Ink is THE medium for a high-energy person like me. It is fast-drying and gives an immediate response. It involves drawing, which is fundamental to most arts. My style has a graphic quality and relies on heavy contrasts: massed blacks which add drama and details which add spice and life.

I use colored ink to a limited extent as it is not as light fast. Technical pens allow me to control the width of lines, and with Koh-I-Noor Universal waterproof black India ink and plate/hot press 2-4 ply bristol board, I produce sharper lines and higher contrast.

Artists Rockwell Kent, Albrecht Durer, and M. C. Escher inspire me. Japanese prints and fabric stencils, miniature painting and illumination, and architecture influence me. My subject matter ranges from A to Z and nothing is off limits. I am always learning. I want to maintain my style and explore larger supports such as 30 x 40 inch bristol board and interior wall murals using black acrylic pens.”