The Art of Maja Druzdzel

I have always enjoyed making art, and in 2010 it became part of my daily life when I purchased my first sketchbook. The small size made it very portable, accessible, and versatile. Everything was allowed in my little book: lists, poems, diagrams, and above all, images of things that were directly in front of me. I felt free of any pressure to create “art.” Over the years, my illustrated journals have become chronological records that contain everything from an amazing trip to Italy to a sketch of my favorite coffee mug. Ordinary days and objects instantly became special when I included them in my visual diary. I feel that keeping these graphic journals has taught me how to be present and really SEE things. For me, drawing and painting is a process of ongoing discovery. I have experimented with various mediums and techniques, though most of the time I start with a detailed pen drawing, which I then embellish with the looser and more unpredictable watercolors.

A few years ago – taking cues from some favorite sketchbook pages – I focused on creating more polished works in ink and watercolor. My mother, the talented artist Magda Druzdzel, helped me frame my new pieces. These I initially shared with friends and family, and eventually with the public. I also began painting small acrylics and have found a wonderfully different kind of expression in this medium. The majority of my images are of the natural world, with a special focus on birds. I am constantly inspired by the wild beauty of the southern Oregon coast that I call home.