Magical Realism


I am a magical realism oil painter with a focus on figures, hybrids, whimsical and the metaphysical. My art aims to tell a story of life in the 21 Century. Life as it is and life of the imagination.  I am ensconced by diversity and in that way my work is a creative response to life.   Portraits such as George Floyd and others, can present a new dialogue in the mainstream. In this way changing our humanity’s view becomes transparent, we learn how much we care, and possible new patterns are born. My studio, I have come to understand, is a work in progress. Sort of like a provocative daydream. I seek to discover the soul and spirit of what I am engaged with, making visual narratives about life in the now moment. In my work as a channel/healer, I often experience people in the most intense times of their lives both in pain and joy. I have learned to draw upon this, creating narratives reflecting personal growth into emotion, color, form and love.  I share stories about my personal life experiences which can remind me that my work is a visual diary. I am inspired by John William Waterhouse and Odd Nerdrum who seek to tell stories within their art. And finally, I am forever inspired by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Berthe Morisot.  

Rather than subscribe to a particular icon, subject, ideology or style, I prefer not to be limited. I rarely work from drawings and if I do they are very loose. But always my companion is my imagination who guides me. Fueled by joy, compassion, mystery and desire, I start with large brushes, allowing for a free form “gliding” over the canvas. In that way, it’s easy to feel that my process is like an open eye meditation.  I point my brush in the direction to capture the essence of my subjects. Not really a direct likeness. Perhaps to give the viewer a sense of connection, a sense of timelessness to enter the art and be part of it. I like to think of what I do as outrageous, spontaneous play with the Unseen, to make Seen. 

My dream is that my art creates a story thus dismantling reality, thereby creating a platform of awareness to see our similarities rather than our differences. My wish for the viewer is to become engaged in the painting, to be suspended in the now, transported into a state of becoming, and then finally to connect to oneself in new ways. My deepest desire is that my work will elicit an emotional response that motivates others to act on self realization, personal growth and unconditional love towards all Beings.

Click on any image to enlarge the gallery. Artist statement available for each painting, available per request. Interested in making a purchase? Please email me at [email protected]

Series Paintings

Tails of Shahrazad  

Tails of Shahrazad from The Arabian Nights, 1001 NightsThese are the stories that saved the life of Shahrazad, who’s husband–the king, executed each of his wives after a single night of marriageBeginning an enchanting story each evening, Shahrazad always withheld the ending. After 1001 nights, her life was spared forever.Many of these stories have weaved their way into our culture. “Sinbad the Sailor”, “Ali Baba ad the Forty Thieves”, “The Fisherman and the Genie” are just a few to mention. In this body of work, Shahrazad finds inspiration in a wise old soul who happened to be embodied as a cat.Together they change the course of history and birth “The Tails of Shahrazad.  Approximately 40×40. 9 individual collage paintings with encaustic $4500. Can be featured square, vertical or horizontal.

   

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Through the Eyes of an Ancient Portal 

The reasons for making these paintings are multi-faceted. First the desire alone, the passion I felt to remake certain inner themes. However passion is motivating, but it’s not enough. The idea of transformation is what allows for the new energy to take hold. Ancient concepts bask in contemporary views. In this way, transformation can now begin to take new shape represented here with the symbology of the old being replaced by the new, guided by the Higher Self. All of which we are asked to be in the process of self-empowerment as we walk the path, ascending to greater awareness to that which is ourself. 

The Divine Self, becoming the God Self.“Through the Eyes of an Ancient Portal” oil on canvas 6 paintings with encaustics 48″ high approx 70″ across  sold as set $12,000.

The first canvas is speaking about love in a family sense. Love that is shared, honored, respected. Within the act of creation, offsprings nourish springing forth from that love. Growth is abundant.A time of pause, reflection and redirection. In this way conditional love for all, no one is muted. By looking into the eyes of each other we see ourselves.  In the time of Akhenaten, he created a threshold of full expression. Prior to this time we do not see love shown in art in this way. For example. Nefertiti, the wife of Akhenaten is shown here embraced in a kiss which is the first time in history husband and wife are shown as equals.

When Akhenaten moved his temple from Thebes to Karnak, it was not a pleasant move back in the day. In my version its a happy occasion with people celebrating riding on the backs of lions. Seeking a new life, balance, new ideas of worship, Isis and the symbol of renewed life is shown by the lotus.

 

 

A time of pause, reflection and redirection. In this way conditional love for all, no one is muted.

By looking into the eyes of each other we see each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the time of Akhenaten, he created a threshold of full expression. Prior to this time we do not see love shown in art in this way. For example. Nefertiti, the wife of Akhenaten is shown here embraced in a kiss which is the first time in history husband and wife are shown as equals.

 

 

In canvas 4&5 transformation again takes place represented here with the symbology of the old being replaced by the new, guided by the higher self. The once stiff composition now aligns to full movement  as we see a female figure holding the golden “8” in her hand. She has her power now. New birth, new life supports this as we see in the lower part of the painting, trees birthed from legs. Being reborn given a second chance in life, when in truth we have this opportunity daily. To start over, to walk anew.

The last painting, canvas#6, this I call ascension. In healing, forgiving and ultimately being in a state of unconditional love we are ready to embrace more of “All That Is”. Here I paint a staircase in which the viewer is welcomed to walk up in sense, to be greeted by love.  Carefully chosen words, writings of love. I painted each hieroglyphic that spanned over several months to express the love of Soul and Spirit.In a way I feel as though I have finished a body of work that I started so very long ago thus changing the course of my own inner story.

  It is my greatest desire that viewers see something in themselves in these paintings. A myriad of emotions, sensations can be applied in creating ones own story of transformation. What are the energies of ones family life? What are the energies of finding a new home? When do we allow pausing and meditation into our lives? How do we express love, covert or extravert, where, how does our empowerment unfold and how do we see and experience ascension? I have shared  ideas in this body of work of how I created peace in my life “Through the Eyes of An Ancient Portal”. I hope that others see something in themselves that sets them free, encourages growth. And most importantly for each Being that views my work I hope the love that I poured into each painting is felt. May you find your own peace. It can be a  step forward in creating peace on Earth. And most importantly may you know you are loved.