"Sunset Explosion" 12 x 16 x 1.5" Oil on Canvas

Some of you may know that I spent many years creating and cultivating a collection of what has become known as "visionary art".  So, why the sudden change in style?

Well, I will be honest and share my story with you.  A few years ago, I hit a wall in my creative process, and experienced the dreaded "artist's block" that creatives tend to face at some point in their journey.  I felt stuck and tapped out of creative inspiration and resources, and pigeon holed by the narrow and very specific style I created for myself of profound concepts and hyper detailed designs.  I even felt overwhelmed by feeling the need to create like that, and the projected expectations that I put on myself.

Sometimes we just need to step back, reassess, and simplify.  I have always loved hiking, camping, and being out in nature.  Any of my friends who have gone out hiking with me can attest to the fact that I take a zillion photos when out, so I tend to be a bit of a slow poke... sorry friends! ;)~

I take so many photos while adventuring, because I have always intended to use them as reference for painting.  Throughout this journey, I have also discovered my love for photography.  It runs in the family!
 
I love to get inspired by other artist's work, and my most recent inspirations have been of artists who paint loose impressionistic landscape paintings.  As an artist who has had a tendency to paint with hyper detail, I always admired the painters who could paint very loosely, yet still maintain realism.  Like a dancer who performs every move very fluidly, these masterful painters make it look so easy!
 
So, when the pandemic hit, I decided to pick up a palette knife and start painting from the huge library of photos I have taken over my many years of adventures.  I love the palette knife, because it forces me to paint loosely, and prevents me from getting caught up in detail.  It is actually very liberating and quite fun.  I began to start out with very small paintings, so that I could get my groove back, and practice the new skill.

I think it's safe to say that I've got my groove back!  I know that eventually with practice, I will be able to merge these new techniques and style with my visionary style.  In fact, I'm bursting with ideas, and I can't wait to share them with you as my journey unfolds!

"Ozora Sunset, Apple Valley" 8x10x1.5" Oil on Canvas

Times are extra challenging right now.  Amidst all of the chaos in the collective, we may also be going through difficulties in our personal lives.  These situations are having me reflect on the importance of giving ourselves the care and compassion we so need right now.  Self care is a powerful tool, and sometimes we just need to break away from it all to go inward.

One of my favorite acts of self care is to immerse myself into a calming activity.  I like to get out into nature, go on a hike, a bike ride, or visit the ocean.  Then I can be immersed within the places that inspire me.  I notice and meditate on how the sunlight tickles the seed heads of the grasses, making them sparkle while they nod in the breeze.  How the light touches the California hills and turns them to gold. (This is why we are called the Golden State!)  I love to watch how the setting sun completely shifts the colors of the land around me.

 
Color is therapy to me, and nature reminds us to breathe and be still.  This is the space where the profound beauty and awe of nature can be a release and a place to find rejuvenation.  I paint these places in order to capture these feelings and keep them close to home.

"Pink Reflections" 5x7" oil on canvas

 Let’s talk about pink!

The color and contrast of where the sun is setting is always epic, but I also love what happens on the outskirts of where the light hits the clouds.  If you look away from the sun toward the periphery of your vision, you might notice some of the more subtle areas as the color fades away.

Pinks slowly transition over to a light periwinkle blue, which softly rest against the deep blue of the sky, where the patterns of the clouds just barely show themselves.  I love how this subtlety created by two colors close in value and hue create a beautiful ripple effect in the sky.

I'm reminded of some of my favorite feelings of being wrapped in a warm cozy blanket, sipping on some hot herbal tea (tulsi is my favorite!)

The sense of peace and relaxation makes me feel like I’m floating slowly through space with the clouds, drifting gently away.