Happy Anniversary, Josh

I love you.

Many Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving all! By the time this post publishes we should all be in the blissful state of food-coma. This Thanksgiving I am especially grateful for three things:

1) God's provision. My husband and I took a big risk to move to LA from Columbus, OH early this summer and we have been provided for every step of the way. We've definitely reached a point in our lives where we can't take credit for the good that comes our way -only give thanks.

2) Two of my lovely sisters and a friend are flying/driving in to enjoy a big Thanksgiving dinner and spend an extended weekend visiting.

3) The two dashing men that I get to spend my days with.

(Josh and Marvin at Angeles National Forest)

Bruno

Another commissioned doggy painting (this time for a birthday present). Love those big bat ears!

10"x10" acrylic on canvas

sold

Acts 17:27

Here is my submission for the Intersections show at my church, Ecclesia. I've been going back and forth about whether or not this piece is too blatant... I used gold leaf for the first time and will be using it a ton in my next series.

 30"x24" acrylic and gold leaf on 1.5" depth canvas

(wanted to show how sweet the gold leaf looks when the light hits it)

The piece is titled Acts 17:27 but is really based on both verses 26 and 27:

"and He made from one every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;"

This scripture has had a tremendous impact on my faith. It is a long story so I won't delve into specifics right now but for me it has been about how God enters into the circumstances of our lives in ways that lead us to Him. The best part is where it says "though He is not far from each one of us." It is like he is right there next to us and we have the choice to ignore Him and go it alone or acknowledge Him and accept grace. 

Sandia Mountains Commission

7"x5" watercolor, colored pencil and ink on cold press watercolor paper

sold

The above piece was commissioned by another lover of New Mexico. He tells me that he travels there every year to reflect. Since completing the New Mexico series I have met SO many people who have had spiritual experiences there. If you haven't been there then put it on your bucket list. My paintings are only a small homage -an foggy reflection- compared to the grandeur of that landscape when witnessed in person. 

Urban Beach No4

24"x18" acrylic on 1.5" depth canvas-faced art board

Love the light in this one. It is baking light. -And the blue of the sky is in reality how the sky often is here. SUPER saturated. Amazing. Also, I can't really figure out how the devil palm trees can stand up straight. They look so top heavy. If anyone knows the science behind it, please enlighten me.

Urban Beach No3

20"16" acrylic on 1.5" depth canvas

The old guy on the left is kinda creeping me out...but he was in reality so I don't think I should change that. -Opinions?

Urban Beach No2

20"x16" acrylic on 1.5" depth stretched canvas

I took my photo reference for these Urban Beach paintings down at Venice Beach. That place is so wild. 

Lots of homeless people, weed, sidewalk vendors, street performers, etc... Some of it is shocking but the whole scene altogether is very visual -busy and colorful and sunny. I think there are probably even more (than the current five) Venice Beach paintings in my future because the palce presents a wealth of possibilities.

Urban Beach No1

24"x18" acrylic on 1.5" depth, canvas-faced art board

This piece is one of (5) that I'm submitting as a proposal for a group show. Hopefully the proposal is accepted and these can hang in a gallery! Steve Hodowsky is putting together the proposal and responsible for taking the initiative. Check out his work -it is fantastic (I especially like the grocery cart piece).