Why do I draw? I guess it is just a need to put my observations on paper. You can do that with photography, sort of. I learned photography and was able to get some of my photographs published, but there was still a need to set my observations down on paper in a more personal way. I turned to colored pencils and had many set-backs. I started with these before anyone was teaching the art and had to learn on my own. Sometimes, I would go for years before starting again after becoming frustrated. Finally, things begin to jell and my art work begin to sell.  I have also been lucky enough to have  a number of my works published in magazines and books.

I joined the Colored Pencil Society of America a year after it was born and became a Signature artist several years later.

I am veteran of WWII-four years in the Navy-and my main output at that time were graphite drawings of pin-up girls on the bottoms of the bunks above the clients who ordered them. I NEVER GOT IN TROUBLE FOR THIS! I did it for free. I got married while in the service and after I was discharged it was a frustrating time for my art. I did graphite, pen and ink and one-color pencil drawings. It wasn't until I mastered colored pencil that things started to pick up.

I grew up near Olympia, Washington and also lived for several years in northern California after being discharged from the Navy.  I currently live near Centralia, Washington with my wife Marlene. 

Bruce Nelson