Going Native...

Absorbing my latest inspirations from my beautiful Southwest surroundings (and history), here's what's been going on in the studio the past few weeks:

Runs with Coyotes, 21" x 32", mixed media and resin on panel, at Wilde Meyer Gallery

Reflections, 36" x 36", mixed media and resin on panel, sold

And I just couldn't resist a lil' shout-out to Spring Training which just began in Scottsdale recently (especially when I can see ballplayers practice in the park behind my house!)

The Catch, 24" x 24", oil on canvas, at Wilde Meyer Gallery

 I've also been getting in as much hiking as I can before the endless summer hits Arizona!  On one trail I regularly do, someone pointed out this pile of heart rocks that - unbeknownst to me - I had been walking right by it all along... then a few days later I was commission to design a "lullaby" CD cover where the client specifically wanted "heart leaves" on the tree!  So I like seeing these two images together:

(Commission) Monica's Lullabies 12"x12", acrylic on panel (CD cover design)

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: