Soar Series

In An Instant 24" x 36" Mixed Media on Raised Birch Panel

Clear Direction 12" x 24" Mixed Media on Raised Birch Panel

In Silence The Barn Owl is by far the owl that speaks to more than any of the other owls. I have been blessed with seeing them so many times in nature, when you would least expect it. whether in the day or night it has always left me catching my breath. In Silence is a painting that reflects the sacred space of my studio and my opportunity to create within it. Many times I paint in silence, just listening to the environment around me. Early in the year, I ordered new materials and mediums that I was unfamiliar with, but had such a desire to experiment. I found mica squares that were as reflective as a mirror when seen on a particular angle. I troweled them on with my metallic plasters watching them land in a precarious manner that started reminding me of wind! I worked around the mica as I painted the foliage and the owl. This owl actually was another Ambassador for the Native Bird Connection. He was perched in a tree at the Marin Art and Garden Center and he was just so content, calm and relaxed. Metallic Plaster, Mic and Acrylic on a 30" x 42" Raised Birch Panel

Fearless was inspired by another ambassador bird through Native Bird Connections during the Talons event that I attended last year. This Rough Legged Hawk was hit by a truck and had one of his wings partially amputated. For him to survive a hit like that alone is amazing, so many prey birds are injured when soaring through the sky seeking their destination on the other side of a man made freeway. During the event I was amazed how this hawk sat comfortably on the earth with this sense of confidence and presence for me I saw it as Fearlessness. As I painted the hawk I wanted the primary focus to be in his eye; a sense of intensity and strength. I chose to paint his body in a fresco style affect, leaving elements incomplete and even removed, blending the bird in with his surroundings. The beech leaves are painted in a more bold manner, they are a memory of the trees I would see in winter back east, many times being the last leaves on the winter trees. I had to look up the symbol of the beech tree and loved to learn it is representative of the written word and wisdom through ancient learning. Plaster, Ink and Acrylic on a 48" x 24" Raised Birch Panel

The Thread of Life....how inspiration evolves! Talons is an event at the Marin Art and Garden Center that I attended last year and I fell in love with one of their Ambassadors. It was a Leucistic hawk that was just stunning and began my inspiration for the Soar series. I had the blessing of viewing so many prey birds through this Hungry Owl Project that were now Ambassadors teaching us and permitting us to have intimate interactions that we may not have had otherwise. Well this particular hawk was so amazing I chose to give it wings to fly and soar! I created a very textural background with metallic taupe plasters and used an interference wax that is only visible when the light hits it in a certain direction. I constantly rotated this background not knowing the Leucistic Hawk would be adorning the surface. I decided to play with rings of 22k moon gold leaf which felt so heavy falling from the top. I turned the panel once again and immediately saw my subject manifest onto the panel. I chose this bird for the majestic nature and the intensity it held in its eyes. Months after the completion of the bird, I knew it was incomplete and waited patiently to envision the next steps. I had the painting hanging right next to the studio door so I would see upon entering the space every day. It finally came to me during a meditation and I kept on hearing a whisper "The Thread of Life" over and over again in my head. It felt familiar so I began to play with the notion. I chose a light Pyrrole Red Orange for the thread, which symbolized the elements of life for me. Once completed, "The Thread of Life" still kept repeating over and over again in my mind, I had to research what it represented if anything to others, I found it be: the course of individual existence especially as fabled in ancient times to be spun and cut by the Fates! Original painting 36" x 48" Raised Birch Panel

Dive may be a smaller piece of mine, but it is very introspective for me. I have had an affinity for birds for a very long time. The represent so many elements for me, especially when relating to the specific species of bird. I had worked on this background relentlessly, working with a very acidic green trying to break out of my comfort zone of neutral earth tones, I began envisioning natural stones, quartz and minerals as I worked with the colors in the background. As I painted the layers of metallic paints, matte plaster and saturated color, I began to see in my minds eye a choreography of an play on a stage. The willow became the curtain being drawn back, setting the stage for the lead a Kingfisher in its natural vibrancy of complimentary colors. I was taking on the precision of the Kingfisher "Diving In" to the abstract abyss, eyes focused on its catch, though it is unseen to our eyes. I know with certainty there will be a companion piece to this painting, but now is not the time, the wonderful thing about creating is that it is ongoing and ever evolving! 36" x 24"

The vision of Regal began last year while we were starting out on one of our many road trips. We decided to stop for java to begin the journey! We went North on 101 and landed in Sebastopol, to the local Starbucks and I was pleasantly surprised with a brood of roosters and chickens, hanging out in the parking lot and adorning all the outdoor furniture! Well of course camera in hand I began taking photos of these colorful creatures! This one rooster just rested on the base of the table, fearless and calm enough for me to snap some photos! I began working in my sketch book playing with ideas for this fellow. I had a vision of the word "Regal" that just resonated with me based the little guys spirit! So here I was playing with the concept of royalty, which reminded me of the ornate nature of decorative furnishings that I have seen during my decorative arts career. It wasn't until I began the large scale rendering that I knew this scroll work would reflect the nostalgic memories of eating zucchini blossoms with goat cheese when on vacation with my aunt in Rome. It's fun combining memories together to create a sort of visual memoir.

Entitled "Communion" This painting is a reflection of a very special relationship in my life which I was inspired to paint after a vacation in Florida where I was blessed to come very close to a Sand Hill Crane couple during one of my early morning walks. The sense of fiery but mysterious energy is depicted in the background and the foreground. This piece is painted on a 24" x 48" Raised Birch Panel prepared with a matte plaster ground.