Creating a new body of work is more than just painting. It’s a deep, healing process.
In the weeks or months before painting, I take time and space to allow themes to come to me. I reflect, journal, and envision the series. I consider the feeling of the paintings, the brush strokes, the colors, and the story behind them. Once I begin the painting, I reflect back to ensure each piece in the collection feels true to its story.
Grand Rising (2023), 40 by 20 inch acrylic on canvas.
Each body of work represents a different chapter.
The Rebirth Collection is a series of original abstract landscapes and seascapes that remind us to soften, feel at ease, and appreciate the little moments of peace. This body of work is about welcoming the peace and presence we need so badly.
These uplifting, abstract paintings symbolize a potent chapter of rebirth.
New Day [SOLD].
I began creating this series in early 2023.
I had recently quit my stressful corporate job to focus on art full-time. I was still unlearning the habits and thought patterns that negatively impacted my nervous system. Most notably, I was learning to soften.
I spent time at a retreat on the Gulf Coast where we watched the sunrise in silence, releasing what no longer served us, and welcoming in what we needed most.
I released stress, anxiety, fear, doubt, rigidity, and all the pressure and conditioning that piled on and led to burnout. I wholeheartedly welcomed in peace, presence, ease, and all the good juicy things the gorgeous sunrise inspired in me.
I knew I had to capture that feeling on my canvas.
My artwork has evolved over time (and will continue to do so).
Many of my previous collections featured heavier textures and energetic brush strokes. The creation of my Rebirth Collection challenged me to soften my style, use softer brush strokes and transparent layers of color, and literally paint with softer brushes instead of palette knives.
Reawakening, in progress on the easel
To start many of the blank canvases, I played with mark-making and allowed subtle hints of graphite to peek through the transparent layers of color.
This mark-making was a subtle nod to breaking free from the rigidity, loosening up my canvas and my process from the beginning.
I used soft brushes and transparent layers to build a serene landscape. I wanted this body of work to be full of depth and beautiful color that captures the peaceful, uplifting feeling of the sun rising over water.
A new day. A renewal. A rebirth.
I invite you to take a moment to feel present…
Take a deep breath.
Unclench your jaw.
Roll your shoulders back.
Did you notice the softening?
A nice break from the rigidity. Simple, yet easy to forget. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and fall back into old patterns.
My Rebirth Collection serves as a reminder to myself and to you.
A reminder to allow presence and appreciate the little moments of peace and beauty. It embodies the serene feeling of staring off at the horizon, welcoming a new chapter.
Hold on to that peaceful feeling when you display my abstract landscapes in your space.
Reawakening, 40 by 30 inch acrylic and graphite on canvas (2023).