Coming May of 2025: A Tree Planted by Water Collection

I like working in gouache on canvas and paper. I know it’s unconventional. The work of Rothko really inspired that. And the medium just feels right to create what I do. The flow of water in unpredictable and can’t be controlled to perfection, rather, I have to work to guide the paint as applied and sometimes yield to the path that it takes. Every work that I create reminds me to yield to the creative process, exhale when I catch myself holding my breath, and work in the things I am tempted to consider imperfections. Poetry, music, literature, and Scripture float across my mind as I move the brush across the canvas, praying I will guide the water well…

My subject matter is always drawn from nature: leaves, trees, flowers, water. My work is often inspired by the interaction of light and darkness, and I often think about this as a metaphor for life. Things that happen to us that we may perceive as “bad”, often become the catalyst for great good. My goal is to inspire people to look around them to see a greater perspective beyond the moment. To search for truth, goodness, and beauty in every circumstance, even if it may feel as though your heart is breaking.

In my current collection, A Tree Planted by Water, I’m exploring the concept of water as a metaphor: cleansing, rejuvenating, transforming, overwhelming, renewing, powerful, peaceful. The brightness of the leaves in contrast to the dark background can be seen as the spirit within, dependent upon the water for life and renewal, even though it comes from dark skies and may bring harsh winds or destruction.

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