Don Pendergast
Mystic Wolf Spirit Creations
agaricales1226@gmail.com

I grew up in Pittsburgh neighborhoods like Garfield, Lawrenceville, and Morningside. I moved to New Kensington in 2003 when I married my wife, Debra, who is an artist and lifelong resident of New Kensington.

I’ve been interested in art since my teens but it wasn’t until I met Debra who encouraged me to begin drawing. As a self-taught artist, I’ve been working on my abstract drawing style for about 17 years.

My medium is PrismaColor markers, Sharpie markers, and paint markers on 140 lb. paper. The sizes range from 8” x 10” to 18″ x 24″.

I begin my process of drawing with meditation. I then start with outlining shapes in pencil, creating whatever images that come to my mind, changing the shapes until I am satisfied with the drawing. I use rulers, templates and French curves to get the desired forms.

Next, I use a fine tip black marker to go over the pencil outlines. At times I make corrections to create a better picture. When I am finished with the marker, I erase all of the pencil markings.

In the final process, I relax and meditate on the drawing. Then I begin coloring in each shape until I feel the composition and colors are arranged in the right way so that the drawing looks smooth.

When my meditation ends, I stop drawing and go back to it when it flows again. Sometimes I find myself working on a drawing for seven to eight hours before the flow eventually stops.

Each drawing is intricate and can take anywhere from two weeks to three months depending on the size and complexity.

I really enjoy drawing in this form. Because of my back pain from numerous back surgeries, I can get fully involved in my drawings and forget about my pain. It really does help me in this way. So, besides my enjoyment in the drawing process, it comes with great health benefits.

I have sold my drawings to people all around the U.S. and in Canada and Ireland.

I’ve had three honorable mentions from the Monroeville Arts Council Art Shows.

I am a board member of the New Kensington Arts Center, a member of the New Kensington Camera Club, and the Allegheny Valley League of Artists. I have my art on display at the New Kensington Arts Center and USA Fitness and Health Center in Lower Burrell, PA