Vanessa Bates started her career as a graphic designer and illustrator but gravitated towards fine art as her experimentation in color exceeded the gamut possible with traditional printing techniques.

Recently she has returned to the digital medium as her skills in programs like E-on's Vue and Newtek's Lightwave progress. Early illustration lessons still influence her art as each work uses color and light to direct attention to the subject of the piece.

When painting with acrylic, Vanessa believes that the canvas is where the true color mixing begins. The colors on her palette are therefore loosely folded together before being applied. Digital techniques emulate those used in her paintings, only color is defined with lighting and layers instead.

The subject matter itself is often chosen for humor, expressed either as visual irony or lighthearted observation. As an award winning and internationally collected artist, it is her sincerest hope that there might be something here that brightens your home or office.