Shine On!

In between some bigger painting projects I've had in the works for awhile, here's some smaller art goodness that's been happening in the studio lately.  First, a little "Love Child" series just in time for Valentine's:

Left to right: Galaxy Girl, Cherry Blossom, Lady Luck, 4x4" acrylic & resin, $95 ea.

Here's some February bling, inspired by the annual Gem Show in Tucson every year.. and these babies are guaranteed, conflict-free!:

Strength & Beauty, 8"x 8", acrylic & resin on panel, avail. at Wilde Meyer Gallery

Let Me See You Shine, 12"x 12", acrylic & resin on panel, avail. at Wilde Meyer Gallery

You Have Beautiful Eyes, 8"x 8", acrylic & resin on panel, avail. at Wilde Meyer Gallery

'Tis the Season

I finally remembered to take progress shots of my most recent painting! "Tutus", 40" x 40", oil on canvas:

...and complete! 

And there is plenty of local inspiration as far as ballet subject matter goes... Just saw the Nutcracker via Ballet Arizona last week and it was brilliant (A+ on the set design as well):

Human snowflakes

...and to all a good night!

Sea Beauty

The orca "killer whale" is basically a large dolphin in a spiffy looking suit (with extremely large and intelligent brains to boot).  After watching the Blackfish movie, you are left with thinking how unhappy, depressed and psychologically wounded these mammals are... and left me looking up more articles on orcas and their brains (which actually made it worse for me - pass the tissues & wine please!).  Not only do they have an extended portion of the emotional part of the brain (meaning their personal relationships with their pod and family could be deeper in ways humans cannot yet comprehend), but each pod has it's own "language" in a sense.  Which, if you think about it, means for example that taking four orcas from four separate pods could be loosely compared to putting four humans of four different nationalities and languages in a prison cell together.  I would like to think this comparison is dramatic, but unfortunately I don't believe it is even dramatic enough to exemplify the true sense of loss and imprisonment these complex creatures can embody. >>what can I do to help<<

Orca, 7" x 7",  acrylic & resin on board, prints available here

If you're interested in reading more about the orca's brain and inner workings, here's a great Q & A article from a neurologist that has studied them (see article here).   Another interesting documentary - totally different - that focuses on just one orca "Luna" is a film produced by Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson: The Whale.  This one has some amazing up close and personal footage of a wild orca interacting with a small Canadian community, and again brings to light the emotional depth of these fascinating creatures.

I can safely say that now knowing what I do, I would never visit SeaWorld or any place like it again.  But I do hope to one day be able to be in a boat off the coast of Washington, Canada or Alaska and have the chance to glimpse these beauties in person, in their natural world, living life as they should be!

Big Smile, 10" x 8", acrylic and resin on panel, prints available here

 From now through December 30th, I'll be donating 50% of print sales in my Etsy shop (of all prints - not just the sea creature ones!) to the Orca Network

Sugar Skull Celebrations

Now that Halloween has come to a close that means one thing - Dia de los Muertos is upon us!  Besides being immediately drawn to the eerie beauty of the artistic traditions this holiday brings, I also find the history fascinating and inspiring (read more about it here).

Foxy Chicas, 12" x 12", acrylic on panel

Three mini resin pieces 4x4" that sold as a set and are now in a happy home in SF!

A special client and friend looks like one of my paintings!

Halloween was fun this year - double Frida fun!

An Autumn Pallette:

Fall is here and I'm loving all things vintage and earthy lately!!  Here are more resin-coated mixed media pieces I've recently completed along with some random and inspiring photos:

The Station, 40" x 30", mixed media & resin on panel

Stylin' bike helmuts at Design Boom

one of my favorite films: Black Book (takes place during WWII)

Elysian Fields, 24" x 24", mixed media & resin on panel

Foxy Baby, 24" x 24", acrylic & resin on panel

Autumn mums for my mum!

Poster painting & design for Tabor Home Winery's 2013 Anniversary Festival

Foxy Faves

It's August and the heat is ON here in AZ!  So to go along with that theme, here are a few of my foxy faves for Summer swinging into Fall:

Little Foxies, 12" x 12", acrylic & resin on panel, (sold) 

Foxfire lipstick (stays on forever!) by Lina Toro for SweetPea & Fay

The 70s girl in me is *Obsessed* with Novella Royale's collection of Janis Bells!! 

The Race, 18" x 30", mixed media & resin, avail. at Wilde Meyer Gallery

New glam goods (for fab prices) at Zoe Boutique

And to keep my sanity in the 100 degree heat, I make sure to fit a little crazy into August too:

What's Your Spirit Animal?

Lots of animals coming into my paintings lately, and my galaxy-theme I used a year ago in the OZ series is also being revisited!  The blend of the two seems "mystical" to me, and had me reading up on "spirit animals"; here's fun little test to see what type of Spirit Animal you are (click here)... I ended up being a "spider" and don't know if I'm ok with that! :)

Soar, 12" x 12", acrylic & resin on panel

And while she may not be my spirit animal, my little rescue chihuahua Frida is the best painting pal:

Frida Kahlo, 12" x 12", acrylic on canvas (at Wilde Meyer Gallery)

 And I've been incorporating more mixed media into my work lately, and coating it with thick resin varnish.  This one has a collaged background of an 1809 Nursery Ryhme book called "Tirra Lirra."

The Majestic, 24"x 24", mixed media & resin on panel

With this one, I collaged verses from Greek Mythology:

Venus, 14" x 14" (framed), mixed media & resin on panel

Lastly, I'm excited to say that these lovely ladies have made it over to Europe via Dacia Gallery, where they are part of a traveling group exhibition (going to France, Germany, & Romania) Click here to see view exhibition details.

Butterfly Catcher, 14" x 14" (framed), Spirale Bleu, 14" x 11" (framed), mixed media & resin