Meet the correspondents: LOS ANGELES > Virginia Hein

"I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t drawing.

The other day a woman saw me sketching and asked me where I learned to draw… I was surprised by the question, but realized that behind it was her desire to draw, we chatted a bit and I made some suggestions. I thought about this later… yes, I was trained in art school, but in truth I’ve been learning to draw since I could pick up a crayon, and I still feel I’m learning every time I draw! I wouldn’t want it any other way!

I was born in Los Angeles, California, and the city and surrounding area continue to be a favorite subject. My studio is in nearby Pasadena. I love many things about this area… I’m drawn to places that feel like the “old” Los Angeles (which is relative of course!). I never tire of the effects of atmosphere (what some unkindly call smog!), the verticals of the palm trees and horizontals of freeways… and the many brush-covered hills. And, wherever I travel along comes the sketchbook, and I fall in love with places through drawing them. I think my work is becoming progressively more gestural — more about the feeling I have about a place than factual representation.

I’ve made my living as a toy designer, illustrator, and also teach drawing and design. I’ve always drawn and painted whenever possible — however, maintaining a constant sketchbook habit is something I’m doing now more than ever — especially since discovering Urban Sketchers! I’m delighted to be a correspondent!"

• Virginia's art on flickr.