TR Rodriquez started drawing as a child, as most do, but she never stopped. The sketchbook went with her everywhere through school and she soon began to explore color pencils, watercolor, and oil pastels. Many years of country living gave her a deep appreciation of the outdoors and the beauty of pastoral scenery, trees, and open land. While she continued to draw and paint, now delving into oil paintings on canvas, she also began working with wood, both from the lumberyard and trees cut by her own hand. These skills have spilled over into her scope of work. Her Dad, having been a tailor by trade, had taught her sewing and pattern making, provided the link to her upholstery work. She made a series of lovely leather upholstered benches that combine her talents in woodwork, stitchery, and design. Her husband once pitched some small scraps of wood in the bin, TR said, " don't throw those away!" and then proceeded to make two fantastic patchwork lamps out of them, puzzled together and nicely finished. At present however, she seems focused again on the oil paintings these past years. Back to the great outdoors and lots of trees! They look as though you could walk right into them. If you consider the old masters of impressionism, there may be a sign of influence but, TR Rodriquez has a definite style of her own, a style forged by persistence, endurance, and a relentless commitment to her vision as an artist. TR is an artist who truly puts her very soul into her work.