A native New Yorker, LeMontagne has lived all over the country, including Alaska. Vast exposure to diverse landscapes, historical and cultural scenarios gave her a rich appreciation and deep love for the beauty of nature. Her eyes have seen much, and reflect back through her medium of pen and ink drawing.
Working with wildlife throughout her career has allowed her to see through their eye, thus capturing a slight vision of understanding. LeMontagne always begin her drawings with the eyes. If the eyes “come alive” at this point, the rest of the drawing will succeed. She asks God to guide her hand, as if He were drawing the subject for the very first time. The work then radiates outward, revealing the piece bit by bit.
Many hours are captured inside each piece, with the larger of the works having as much as 40 hours of drawing time, and most are done completely in the stippling technique. Stippling means many thousands of tiny little dots are applied. Other techniques are also used, depending on the piece.
“Teaching pen and ink drawing is a huge passion of mine, and I work with both beginner and advanced students; both at the Spokane Art School, and privately. Classes are offered throughout the year.”