"Perspectives"

18" x 24", Oil on Canvas	---	2022
Accepted by juried exhibit: Beaux Arts Virtual Gallery
I tryed something a little different with a humorous scene. It took a while to figure out the central portrait, but a Picasso seemed to fit the scene well. When looking at this, I find it difficult to remember that the whole image is a painting. Its almost like the Picasso is tricking people to see it as a painting and the rest is just normal... The Picasso was picked because it reminds the viewer that one thing can be seen from different positions, and it seems to define how people see this painting as well. I was mainly searching for something to make me laugh and showcase what I had learned with glazing techniques and fur textures.

"Fuzzy Bear 2"
	21.5" x 20", Oil on Aluminum Panel
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	2022
	Print's Available
	Sometimes art is just fun to make and painting silly objects in traditional techniques makes me giggle.

"Fuzzy Bear"
	18" x 24", Oil on Canvas
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	2022
	Accepted by exhibit: "New Member's Art Exhibition"
	Print's Available
	Sometimes art is just fun to make and painting silly objects in traditional techniques makes me giggle.

"Bravery Found"
	18" x 24", Oil on Canvas
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	2021
	Accepted by juried exhibit: "13th Annual Open Juried Fine Art Exhibition"
	We all have events, memories, regrets and wishes in our mind. They weigh our decisions and hold us back from reaching our true potential. We know they are there and hold onto them thinking they define who we are while making excuses on why they must be carried forward. "I should have done..." "Why did this happen..." "It's always been done this way." "I was always told..." Breaking away from those enticing memories and comfortable thoughts is simple and we hold the key and knowledge to easily achieve what we actually want. But, we don't. Even thinking about that change is frightening and unknown. "Will I survive?" "Who am I without it to define me?" That fear weighs us down and prevents us from moving forward with our hopes and dreams. True bravery is looking within, knowing an outcome is unknown and frightening, but still choosing to detach from that which stops us from growing and living up to our true potential. We know ourselves well enough to see the truth, we hold the key, but using it requires something we fear the most...being free. Which part of this image captures your attention? Is it the answer, or the cause? Is it the burden, or the release? Do you find yourself clasped with chain and rusted steel, or did you determine if the key was used? Freedom is within our grasp, it just requires a simple choice. Bravery or our familiar and comfortable burden.

"Embracing Fear: Come Closer"
	14" x 20", Oil on Aluminum Panel
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	2021
	Accepted by juried exhibit: "Our Blue Planet" Accepted by exhibit: "New Member's Art Exhibition"
	It is only a species of angler fish called Linophryne Lucifer. It is nothing to be scared of. Its a rather intriguing species to learn about. I am sure this image is not what people expect from a ocean picture, I hoped it will make the viewer feel like a little fish which sees a light in the darkness, only to find something a bit unexpected. The reality is it tapped into a primal instinct which tends to be much stronger for the viewer than I hoped. Fear creeps in quickly, but we can control our reaction. Look deeper into what causes our reaction and then we can learn from it. For this experience, it's just a fish which is far too small and lazy to do much to us, if anything at all. The medaphor isn't subtle, but sometime discomfort in life is an opportunity to grow and improve ourselves. We can use our fears to grow, learn and probably discover what ever caused that fear is more interesting than terrifying.

"Technology: The Great Distracter"

12" x 24", Oil on Aluminum Panel	---	2021
Accepted by juried exhibit: Headwaters Arts: Fall Festival 2021
Technology distracts us from seeing natural beauty in the world. All the tech in the image leads the eye away to the edges of the picture urging us to move along and ignore what is really important in life. Based on a picture taken near Medina River in Texas in Jan 2011.

"Into the Void"
	18" x 24", Oil on Linen
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	2021
	I wanted to try out linen...this is the result. What would it be like to fly past an asteroid while a comet is passing by in the distance? How difficult would it be to find a way to ignore the obvious so it is possible to focus on a distant nebula? Astrophysicists have to ignore the obvious daily. Not sure how they manage it, but their discoveries are wonderous. The name is inspired by how astrophysicists have to ignore all the obvious items floating around in space to see something far off and extremely faint. When you find the orange nebula, I think you will understand the name. So...whats up with that comet? Comets have two tails, one is the dust which we usually think of and follows the path of the comet. The second one is ionized gas and particles pushed by solar winds. Result is the ion trail points away from the sun. The green? There are a few images of comets with a green leading edge. So...I added that too. What about that soft line coming from the upper right corner. Our solar system has a dust cloud which we can see from Earth and is roughtly in line with the main planetary orbits. The Zodiacal Dust Cloud was the subject of Brian May's doctoral thesis...yes, the musician from Queen.

"Hamayun GateHouse"
	18" x 24", Oil on Canvas
	Series: UNESCO Heritage, India
	2021
	Accepted by juried exhibit: Headwaters Arts: Fall Festival 2021
	Item #4 in the UNESCO World Heritage, India series. The 'Arab-ki-gateway' is on the path to the main tomb in Hamayun's Tomb, New Delhi, India. This specific gatehouse was the entryway for carts and carrages bringing supplies to the work site. Why black and white? Well...it works for photography. The textures and stonework come out more sharply in grayscale. We can imagine our own colors as well. And, its actually not black and white. Its cool grays surrounding the warm, inviting interior. Sit, enjoy the quiet and often ignored gatehouse before treking on to the more popular areas. My hope is simply that people will go and experience this place, the amazing culture, and wonderful people who share it's history.

"Hamayun Gate"

10" x 30", Oil on Canvas	Series: UNESCO Heritage, India	2020
Accepted by juried exhibit: "13th Annual Open Juried Fine Art Exhibition"
Item #2 in the UNESCO World Heritage, India series. This gate was in Hamayun's Tomb complex in New Delhi, India. I visited this site a couple times and it's gardens hold many memories I cherish. Buildings over 4 centuries old mixed in with carefully groomed gardens is hard to make look anything but wonderous. It would be easy to focus on the gate itself, but it would miss so much of the experience. Walking through the gardens, discovering something new with each turn makes this complex astonishing. My hope is simply that people will go and experience this place, the amazing culture, and wonderful people who share it's history.

"Barber's Tomb"
	24" x 30", Oil on Canvas
	Series: UNESCO Heritage, India
	2021
	Accepted by exhibit: "New Member's Art Exhibition"
	Item #1 in the UNESCO World Heritage, India series. This doorway exits Barber's Tomb in Hamayun's Tomb complex in New Delhi, India. It is a relatively minor building out of the way of most visitors. The site is much more than Hamayun's Tomb. Exploring these small buildings is part of the experience. Eyes adjust to the dark, naturally lit areas, then are blasted with sun walking out the entryway, just to be greeted by gardens and more areas to explore. My hope is simply that people will go and experience this place, the amazing culture, and wonderful people who share it's history.

"Ganesha"

12" x 16", Oil on AlumaComp	---	2018
Accepted by juried exhibit: Beaux Arts Virtual Gallery
I hope you enjoy the painting and think about its meaning. This painting is a mixture of western religious icons and traditional Indian colors, themes, and religious beliefs. There are many traditional symbols included in the icon: Large Ears: Listen more Large Head: Think more Small Eyes: Concentrate Small Mouth: Speak softly / Talk less Trunk: A powerful trunk able to perform mighty acts, yet capable of truly gentle actions Broken Tusk: Retain good and throw away bad Lotus: Symbolizes the highest goal of human life Rope: Used to pull you to a higher goal Axe: Cut off bonds which hold you back Swastika: A traditional blessing of prosperity and good luck Bowl of Mothakham: A sweet which is a reward for knowledge and following a spiritual path to enlightenment. Ganesha offers the reward to those who follow this path. It is also a reminder to enjoy life. Large Stomach: The ability to digest the good and bad within the world. Feet Placement: One foot is planted firmly within the world and one is lifted to remind us to keep one foot in the spiritual world. Skin Color: This tone was picked to show Ganesha in a meditative state. Reminding all to think and find peace of mind. Book: As the author of the Mahabharata; it is a reminder to seek knowledge. Offering (left side): Some gifts in the world are visible. Offering (Right Side): Some gifts are not yet revealed. This is my addition to the symbols as a reference to the idea that we must be patient and not all gifts in this world are known until we recognize them. Mouse: Ganesha shows control over chaos within the world and tames even the untamable. Aum and Ik Onkar: I show both symbols as they are essentially reminders of the same thing; a single power flowing through all existence. Many see differences in the world's religions, but few are able to bring them together and find common grounds. My interpretation of its combined meaning: Find peace within this icon and hope for future endeavors, whatever they may be. Remember there is more than material gain; a greater existence through knowledge and meditation. As prayers in Hinduism are offered first to Ganesha before others, remember that inner peace can lead to future prosperity along whichever path you follow.

"Mr. Fuzzy Puppy"
	16" x 20", Oil on Canvas
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	2018
	Print's Available
	Glazed grisailles don't have to be reserved for serious subject matter. Sometimes, fun deserves the finer things in life and dedication to detail. Unfortunatly, photos and prints can never capture how glazing changes at different angles and room lighting. It will vary between a softened Naples Yellow and brownish grays along with the darkened Burnt Umber background. Almost creepily, Mr. Fuzzy takes on a mood impacted by your own. He can be curious, admonishing, overbearing, and just plain silly. It is just a stuffed animal posed into a cell phone camera, but it took on a personality of its own. I may return to this topic with a series in the future. It was a fun project which deserves more exploration.