New Painting: If I Find My Way, How Much Will I Find?

New Painting

If I Find My Way, How Much Will I Find?

24" x 28"

Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas

Available

This painting will hang in the Dallas Public Library System's "It's All Just a Story" art exhibition this month, a group show where participating artists interpret a selected childhood story. This painting was inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden.

Detail

“One of the strange things about living in the world is that it is only now and then one is quite sure one is going to live forever and ever and ever. One knows it sometimes when one gets up at the tender solemn dawn-time and goes out and stands out and throws one's head far back and looks up and up and watches the pale sky slowly changing and flushing and marvelous unknown things happening until the East almost makes one cry out and one's heart stands still at the strange unchanging majesty of the rising of the sun--which has been happening every morning for thousands and thousands and thousands of years. One knows it then for a moment or so. And one knows it sometimes when one stands by oneself in a wood at sunset and the mysterious deep gold stillness slanting through and under the branches seems to be saying slowly again and again something one cannot quite hear, however much one tries. Then sometimes the immense quiet of the dark blue at night with the millions of stars waiting and watching makes one sure; and sometimes a sound of far-off music makes it true; and sometimes a look in someone's eyes.” 
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

Light up the Whole Sky

Beneath an Orange Sky
30" x 40", Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas
Available

The sun never says to the earth,
‘You owe me.’
Look what happens with
a love like that.
It lights up the whole sky.
Hafiz

This painting was inspired by one of my favorite quotes. When we allow our hearts to shine with love is when we are fully alive. I hope on today, of all days, you can enjoy love in all of its forms. Wishing you a beautiful Valentine's Day that lights up the whole sky.

The paint is literally still drying on this one, but it will be on display at my show at Uptown's Dear Clark that opens this Thursday. Hope my Dallas friends can make it out.

Yoga Revelation

Connected and Detached
30" x 48"
Private Collection of the Artist
Fine Art Giclee Prints available here

Revelation: If you love yourself, practice yoga. If you don't, practice yoga so you can discover the love. If you love another person, practice yoga...you will have more to share with those you love. If you seek purpose or meaning in life, practice yoga. Practice will give insight to what you don't realize you truly seek. Yoga unites all aspects of Self so that you can emerge a powerful force to help others while here. Practice will integrate itself into every atom of your cellular being...the Light will become more visible when you least expect it.

New Painting, "Searching for Somebody I Used to Know"

20" x 24"
Oil and Mixed Media
Available

This is a new piece created as I struggle to come to terms with mental illness that has taken over a loved one.

Life throws you curve balls. I am suddenly searching for the ghost of the girl I knew. The layers in this painting represent the layers of "life" that pile on that have an impact for the better or worse - the dark colors - the darkness...I could go on.
My art is a mirror, reflecting who I am.  

                        I'm grateful to have this channel of creativity and expression 

through the both happiness and the suffering. 

This piece will be on display at Dear Clark Salon in Uptown Dallas. Show opens this Thursday. Hope my Dallas friends can make it out. 

Left Brain/Right Brain...Which One Are You?

“I am the left brain. I am a scientist. A mathematician. I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear. Analytical. Strategic. I am practical. Always in control. A master of words and language. Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers. I am order. I am logic. I know exactly who I am.”

“I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feat. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am 
everything I wanted to be.”


Came across this image today via ArtHash on FB, and was captivated by its beauty. And of the damn good advertising team that Merecedes Benz has working for them.


Which one are you?

Bartering Artists: Dallas/Fort Worth Artists Use Creativity as Cash

In a tough economy, money may be short, but talent and skills are not. The DFW Arts Community has tapped into an age-old method to legally obtain what you need, want, or never knew you had to have, without having to pay: barter.

Bartering Artists is a group allowing local artists to make exchanges with service providers in a friendly environment. Services range from chiropractic care, salon services, marketing assistance, and legal advice, to name a few. Created just five months ago using Facebook as its main platform, the group has over 725 members, with successful barters occuring daily.

photographer Sam Bortnick (photo from left to right: Ashley Jones, Patricia Rodriguez, Cori Berg)

As an artist with no car, who gets around by bicycle, Bartering Artist Founder, Patricia Rodriguez, often asked friends for rides in exchange for art. She started the group because she saw a real need for creating a supportive network of people who wanted to barter their time and skills.

“The basic idea is to provide a platform where bartering is acceptable and the value is placed on people as resources and not cash. Add into the mix that Artists found the group and the opportunities to be creative seem endless. We are here to help people network,” says Rodriguez.

The first “Meet and Greet”, one of several planned live bartering events, was held on Sept 4^th, at Exposition Park’s Fallout Lounge. The venue quickly filled with artists, photographers, hair stylists, masseuses, yogis, DJs, cake makers and jacks-of-all-trades who came ready to mingle with barters in hand. The art up for exchange was as diverse as the people and over 100 exchanges were made that evening alone.

Rodriguez is excited for what the future holds.

photographer Deborah Frances (photo of artist Christian Millet)

“People are collecting art and supporting each other’s businesses. Galleries are offering their spaces to show our art.  There’s a real, palpable sense of community. I hope to eventually get much needed health and dental services integrated into the group. There is so much that is needed that people go without because they can't afford it.”

Follow Bartering Artists on Facebook.

My article , above, appeared in the Jan/Feb issue of Origin Magazine. I am thrilled to be a part of the Origin Magazine family as their Texas Art Director. Origin Magazine is a national arts + culture publication with an emphasis on conscious living.

30 Ways to Boost Creativity

Came across this image on Pinterest, and I  just love it.

Although intended for photographers, I drew so much from this, and I think we all can. Everyone can benefit from a little added creativty. Don't be afraid to think differently or in new ways. Let go of old habits and invite something new into your life!