The Postcard Paintings

I have always been partial to handmade and handwritten letters/cards. In thinking about my affinity for stationary and handwritten expression, I created The Postcard Paintings. This series was inspired by my appreciation for personal, handwritten, old-fashioned communication. 

In our modern times, as we know, it is so quick and easy to communicate and share even the most intimate thoughts via text message, email, messenger app, etc. 

Instant gratification has in many circumstances replaced the thoughtful and personal due to convenience.

The Postcard Paintings series longs to see handwriting upon paper, longs for friendship, courtship, and romance to be tangible in an era when texting, swiping, and emojis have taken precedence. 

This series asks people think about their communications...to remember the thrill and suspense of waiting for a letter or gift or finding a tangible surprise in the mail. Often, we allow our energy to drain into the abyss of constant, banal, demanding virtual ping pong.

Though these paintings were created to be framed and kept as original artworks, the inspiration behind the series was based on simply put, the postcard: a meaningful collectable, that once decorated refrigerators, inhabited mail boxes, and told of travels and adventure. 

Over the coming weeks, I will continue to explore this topic. 

 The Postcard Paintings 

[November Valentine (top) / North Star (bottom)]

2015

Watercolor and oil-based ink on Strathmore paper

4" x 6" each

The Postcard Paintings [Journey to Mars]
2015
Suite of four watercolor paintings with Micron ink on Strathmore paper
4" x 6" each

The Postcard Paintings [A View from Neptune's Shores]
2015
Pair of two watercolor paintings on Strathmore paper
4" x 6" each

Shine On [A Birthday Gift]

"Shine On" / For Christian / October 2015 / 8" x 8" / Deco Color paint pens on Ampersand Clayboard

New Website

Hello readers! I am excited to announce the launch of my new website. 

Please click here to take a peek. I hope that you enjoy!

Thank you for your continued support.

Study for Summer Seashells

This work entitled "Study for Summer Seashells" was inspired by my love for color, line work, and of course...seashells. 

As a kid, I loved to collect shells on the beach when we visited Mexico. I would comb the beach from our rented condo in Akumal all the way to La Buena Vida--the local lunch spot, surrounded by turquoise seas and white beaches. 

I was fascinated that every shell had a different pattern, texture, and color--no two seemed to be the same. As a child, these collectables were treasures to me. Today, a beautiful nostalgia accompanies this visual language of seashells. When I see them, I think of salty air, breezy sunsets, warm sun beating down on my shoulders, and the coolness of the ocean, overtaking me as I bobbed up and down in the waves of the Mayan Riviera. 

Tropical climates have always made me feel alive, and I am blessed to have these memories and now to live just a drive away from the sea in Los Angeles. 

This work is a tribute to the gorgeous colors of Mexico and to the wonderful memories that I have from family trips to Akumal with my mom, Rab, and The Lundgrens. I will be creating a series of 8 seashell studies to start, using Deco Color paint pens on Ampersand Clayboard.

I hope that you enjoy my posts. <3 Happy Friday.

Study for Summer Seashells

Study for Raspberry Seashells

Study for Tropical Dreams and Strawberries

This work entitled "Study for Tropical Dreams and Strawberries" was inspired by the amazing work of Lynn Von Kersting--designer and owner of The Ivy Restaurants and Indigo Seas. 

After looking through her most recent book, I sketched in the first layer of this composition using colored pencils. I moved loosely and quickly. Next, I incorporated Deco Color paint pens into the frame, keeping my energy free and unconfined. I wanted the essence of the work to be energizing yet relaxing, just as I perceive tropical environments to be. 

Strawberries are one of my favorite delights in this world, so any time that I get a chance to include them in my artwork, I am happy. 

I am loving the vibes of summer. 

Cake and joy for all!

Painting Flow [Songs / Playlist]

To any of you who like working with music while you paint or get creative, I would love to share my current playlist with you.

It is a floaty, rhythmic, soulful, and dreamy combo created for easing into a creative flow and is made with love for hours of painting. It will be a work in progress.

Click here to stream "Painting Flow" on Sound Cloud.

Dreamy Days [Floaty Sounds]

Here are impressions from Mid-March days in Santa Monica. I spent the weekend on the beach and in the art studio. I have been drifting through a dreamy, whimsical, soft, floaty plane soaking it all in...Listen to Nick Hakim's music, and you might float away too.

Ripple Mandala [Colored pencil and AP Micron ink on Ampersand Clayboard]

I have been on a mandala kick for a couple of months now. See this blog post if you are interested in a bit of background. 

I have only scratched the surface so far in terms understanding the art form and meaning behind these representations of the universe. But every time I design a mandala, something new is learned about the process. It is a meditative experience to create one. 

My most recent drawing "Ripple Mandala" (pictured below) was made using a compass, a ruler, Blick colored pencils, and AP Micron pens in black.

My mandalas thus far always start with two straight diagonal lines which come from each corner. This simple "x" yields a center point, from which the essential and initial circle can be created with a compass. 

The rest of the design spans out from there based on impulse. Usually the form comes together through experimentation and through using points that create themselves within the drawing, always with symmetry in mind.

Finished version of "Ripple Mandala"

Clean version of mandala without any line work

Though my works are far from perfect, the precision involved can be tedious; it takes a lot of patience which I am learning is an important part of the process.

I adore working big, free, and messy when I paint. Drawing is something totally different from painting for me. Drawing is more intellectual and mind based, whereas painting is more impulse and heart based. 

I love both mediums and look forward to exploring each more frequently in the coming months. 

I have exciting news on the horizon to share with you all soon...in the beginning of February!

Universally Speaking [AP Micron ink on Ampersand Clayboard]

I created this drawing with thoughts of the mysterious universe on my mind. I don't have much more to say, but here you will see my head, hand, and heart trying to work together. To infinity and beyond...

Lavender [Deco Color Paint Pens on Ampersand Clayboard]

Memories can be triggered by any of the senses. Smell and music seem to be the quickest gateways to memory lane for me.

Last night the scent of lavender perfumed my apartment. It triggered memories of my mom, Amy, who passed away six and a half years ago.

She spoke French fluently and spent time living in Aix en Provence as a young adult. My mom loved the romance, beauty, and charm of Europe. When she could not be in France, she enjoyed taking theater classes in French and practicing her language skills with other enthusiasts in Salt Lake.

As a child, I remember her visiting Europe on several vacations. When she returned home, she always came back with goodies in her suitcase. I especially loved the potpourri from Provence. My mom adored lavender scented lotions and fragrances and even grew the plant in her garden, to which she devoted much time.

So...With these thoughts on my mind, I doodled this simple but colorful representation of my nostalgia.

My mom's favorite nickname for me was "Doodles," so today I honor her by sharing my doodles.

Lavender

Noise [Black Deco Color Paint Marker on Clayboard]

I spent yesterday browsing photography exhibitions at Photo LA in Downtown Los Angeles.

It was an exceptional show, and I saw some truly breathtaking black and white photography.

The black and white element of yesterday must have stuck with me. As I was winding down last night, I grabbed the nearest clayboard and started doodling. Here is the end result of my exercise: "Noise".

I find that it is very helpful to keep art supplies within an arms reach because with an hour of free time, it becomes accessible and easy to create something.

I particularly like having clayboard and paint pens around; they allow me to doodle or draw something that will appear much more finished than something in a sketch book (at least I think so).

Happy Monday.

Finishing Old Business, Collaborating, Creating Something New

A great friend of mine, who is an exceptional photographer and artist, came over to my side of town yesterday. As we sat in my living room listening to music and catching up, we stared at an old painting of mine. It dawned on me that the canvas needed more work. At one point, I was happy with the painting, but looking at it last night, all I could see were areas of potential improvement. It had a better future ahead with some love and care. See [Water Marks]...the old version of the painting.

I asked Kelsey if she would be interested in adding to the painting the following day and combining our styles onto the canvas. She was up for it, so we put our minds together and decided to play a fun and silly game to get our creative energy flowing. 

The game went like this: I would say a word, then she would respond with her gut reaction of another word or thought...and so on. After our goofy rapid-fire brainstorm session, we stumbled upon the concept of Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights. We didn't take the idea too seriously, but decided to roll with it.

In the morning before checking any social media or playing on our phones, we set up paints and put on a good playlist, then got moving. 

I had no attachment to the work as it was, and I was excited to see it transform into something completely different, working with her.

Sidenote: I am very interested in the idea of collaborative canvases and works of art. We are all creative beings, and I find it to be an exciting journey and experience, seeing what we can paint together.

Collaborating, especially on a single painting, is a fantastic exercise in letting go of control and surrendering. Why? Because it causes you to ditch attachment to your brushstrokes, color choices, and work in general and be receptive to what the other person(s) brings to the table. It also encourages you to be open to the energy of another and build on each other's strengths. 

Creating art is a magical experience, and I have always loved working alone, but sometimes doing it solo can feel isolating and/or block transformations and discoveries from happening. It is really good to work with another person and see what two (or more) people can come up with together. 

Once Kelsey and I started on the canvas, it took some time for us to fully let go and make bold changes to the work, but eventually we did, and at a certain point, we were finger painting! Here is the result of our two hours of painting together.

It was simply too fun!! Kelsey and I are both huge fans of bright, bold colors, so it made it even more enjoyable working together. It was also awesome working so large, because it gave us the opportunity to go wild. Every ten minutes or so, we would rotate the canvas and build on one another's work.

Here it is...