Dream Catchin'

I'm thrilled to have several brand new paintings in Blue Rain Gallery's Second Invitational show in Santa Fe this month!  It's been up for the month of June, and comes down next week - but if you can't make it in person, here's a peek of the new stuff: #giddyup

Dreamcatchers II, 24"x24", mixed media and resin on panel

Many Moons, 36" x36", mixed media and resin on panel

Three Wishes, 40" x 40", mixed media and resin on panel

This one's a little different - the back tattoo was inspired directly from @thiskidlovesink on instagram (featured on the right).  The title "Winds of Chang'e"is a play on words; "Chang'e" is the name of the Chinese Moon goddess:

Winds of Chang'e, 30" x 24, acrylic on canvas

And my society6 shop has also recently been updated with all sorts of goodies of each image (besides prints, there are awesome tote bags, pillows, coffee mugs, clocks and anything else you wanna art out your place with... Cheers!):

Find these goodies and more here!

Belle Époque

Sometimes when I paint I'm aware of my inspirations as I begin; other times - like in this collage/resin piece "The Boudoir" (40" x 28") - I realize the specific inspirations that came from my subconscious only after the painting is complete.

The Boudoir, mixed media and resin on wood, 40" x 28", at Wilde Meyer Gallery

I realized this room that came from my imagination reminded me of this article I had read on a hauntingly beautiful abandoned apartment in Paris during WWII.

In the bottom lefthand corner, you'll find an homage to one of my favorite artists, Gustav Klimt (some of whose paintings are still being recovered from Nazi theft during WWII):

Gustav Klimt's magnificent painting "The Kiss"

And the little black silhouette in the righthand corner is of course my little Frida sneaking her way into another painting:

Bonjour!

Spring Dreamin'

Dreamin' the days away while working on loads of new projects this Spring!  First off, this Saturday, April 26th, 6-9pm Zoe Boutique holds it's first cowskull show featuring the work of many different artists; here are my three:

featuring shoes by the amazing BaliELF

Also follow these two lovely ladies on Instagram for this giveaway coming up: @AmariaDesigns and @SoapyLayne (and it'll include a makeup bag by yours truly).  Here's a sneak peek of the goods, which I have some of both myself already and both are true artisans!

Jewelry from AmariaDesigns Etsy

Jewelry from AmariaDesigns Etsy and Soapy Layne's Etsy Shop

And a NEW Fox print and other goodies like T's, phone cases, etc. now available here

And an AZ sunset to bid you adieu!

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