New paintings in progress pushing the bounds of painting the figure in water.

Many of us look toward the new year as an opportunity to undertake a new resolution. We’ve all heard the phrase, "New Year, New You,” which is a notion that a “new” version of you will set you on track for a greatness that has previously been beyond your reach.

While this idea can be motivational and forward moving, it also robs us of the precious opportunity to accept who we are. 

Consider that greatness is alive and vibrant within you right now.  One of the many things this past year has revealed to me is the importance of learning how to be at home inside the person I am today — in mind and body - and it’s actually an unlearning process! And a difficult one, at that. What if perfection IS hanging out in sweatpants and leaving piles of laundry on the floor while binge-watching “Survivor?"

I want to understand what the paintings are that honor the undoing process of cultural norms that shame us and separate us from each other. With remarkable regularity across human cultures, water has been used to communicate the sacred value of life; the spiritual dimension of purification, protection, and healing; and the profound meaning of suffering and redemption in human life. Water connects us to all living things. Water is essential to all living things. 

Limited Edition prints of the body held in bliss available in March 2021

For years, I’ve had some shame about painting water because there are so many painters who already use this subject matter. So I tried to become some other kind of painter. I mean, for goodness sake, shouldn’t I find something new? New year, new me - right? I spent so much time denying what has been asking to be born in this work; using it as a crutch to decide I wasn’t a good enough painter.  But I’ve made it to the other side now! The angst of 2020 helped me figure out how to create paintings that offer a visual version of hope, healing, and transformation. It’s brought me back to accepting my inspirations. Painting images of dissolving, fissured, calm, and colorful figures in water helps me see the creative spirit threading itself through so many different pathways in order to find meaning and connection. 

This month, I am starting a new body of work that delves further into the notion of healing and holding ourselves more gently. The goal is to help bolster a visual language that speaks of self-love and internal peace. I hope this imagery helps you, the viewer, to find space for your precious and unique self inside each and every day, to find your center, and then begin to enact whatever is needed to be a co-creator in this world that is asking to be re-imagined and reborn now. 

Fresh three-dimensional resin layered paintings in progress

What does it look like to engage in a lifestyle that serves our wholeness and reinforces our connection with the world? What does it look like to be in harmony with ourselves and each other? How will this work address structural racism and inequality in the world? I believe one way is by seeing and accepting who we are, consciously touching on gratitude, and surrendering into forgiveness. 

Can we evolve ourselves toward the world post-covid while working to undo structural racism? Can we do that through a gentle, patient practice?  Enduring change doesn’t happen overnight, but neither will it be helped along by tearing ourselves and others apart.