Paintings from the "Colors Of The Sky" collection

Nature is such a major refuge.  Being outdoors is so vital to our well being, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  It checks all of the boxes.....after all, it is where we come from!  Sometimes it seems like we can forget this, as our day to day societal lives disconnect us further and further from this fact.

Many of us live in cities, or suburbs of cities, and with the pandemic taking hold, we are likely forced to be sequestered inside of our homes more then we would like to be.  Maybe we can take a camping trip, but our work from home jobs require internet access.  Maybe we have kids and also have to juggle home schooling them.  Sometimes getting outdoors is just a lot of work!  Even if there wasn't a pandemic, our lives are often so busy that we may not always have the time to get outside as often as we would like.

I live in the city, but I'm lucky enough to have a backyard garden as refuge.  This helps me stay connected, to have close interactions with the plants, the bees, and the hummingbirds.  Sometimes I can hear the cry of a hawk in the distance.

I love to paint this connection that I feel.  When I experience something that captivates me in nature, like how the light shines through a leaf, turning it a vibrant yellow green, or when the clouds put on a show of rippling cascades of color, I immediately think to myself that I want to paint it.

The act of painting these experiences and emotions captures the essence of a fleeting moment, and solidifies it into a tangible object that can be experienced  over again.  But unlike a photo, the painting holds the emotion of the moment, and can communicate the more subtle energies and impressions of that experience, through the lens of the human eye and heart.  When our hearts sync, we can relate to each other in such a profound way. 

Painting brings me closer to nature, because it is my offering of giving back to the gift that keeps on giving.  It is my way of honoring the life that sustains us, that is us.  It is like an altar piece to meditate on, to remember that connection and keep it close. 
I can give that same offering with my artwork to others who seek to remain close to that same connection, even if they can't get outside as often as they would like.