 How do you change the world for the better? You begin with yourself. "If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it." John Irving
A special night for a special cause: An art show & fundraiser for The Children's Center courtesy of It's Not A Gallery. Many thanks to all of the artists, friends and family who contributed to make this event a resounding success.  Peeling back the layers. Seeing deeper into ourselves. Sculptural paintings made with plaster, newspaper and repurposed paint by Brazilian-born artist Samantha daSilva. If home is where the heart is, then by its simplest definition, home is where we are. Each canvas is imbued with a healing mantra for balance, harmony & peace.
A new group show curated by Susan Bonosconi at Alpine Art & Frame, SLC, UT.  Large-Scale Commission Painting Success. I am so pleased to announce the completion of my latest Commission Painting: "Dreaming Out Loud", 72"w x 60"h. This textured, metallic beauty is on route to Cleveland, OH and I can't wait to share the installation photos with you once it's hanging in its new home dining room.
 This is cause for celebration: My first SOLD OUT in-person workshop at the University of Utah's Lifelong Learning Program in over one year! The world has changed. We are all slowly adapting to a new normal. What hasn't changed is that there is a special kind of "magic" in connecting as a community of artists, and I am so incredibly grateful to serve my community in this capacity.
 No Mud, No Lotus. Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hahn (one of my favorite teacher & mentor) says that suffering and joy are intrinsically connected and one cannot exist without the other. The beauty of the lotus is found in its determination to rise out of the mud to meet the sun, transformed. Adversity is inherent to the human condition. We forget that. I forget that! We live in a culture that does everything in its power to numb, protect and run from the uncomfortable and often painful parts of being human. And yet, it’s the mud, our travails, that define us—Illuminates us.
 Don't leave anything undone. When I die, I want to go with all my paint tubes empty, all of my canvases painted, and my entire inventory sold. I want to have travelled much, loved deeply and unapologetically. I want to share my process with as many people as possible, knowing it’s not perfect by any means but it’s all I have and that’s got to count for something. Besides, this is too much of a good thing to keep just to myself! Painting is a catalyst for personal growth, empowerment & transformation. I am living proof and I wholeheartedly believe this can be true for you too. If you feel the calling, check out my upcoming classes & workshops.
 Your painting is your message. I didn’t always know this, I didn’t always believe this, but I have found this to be true.
 "As Within, So Without": 52 Questions to Calibrate Your Creative Compass is a book that encourages artists to engage in self-inquiry as an essential part of their creative process. The book contains 52 questions, one for each week of the year, that are designed to help artists better understand themselves and their creative voice.
The philosophy behind the book is that the canvas is a mirror that reflects who you are. By answering the questions using paint, texture making mediums, and your imagination, you can create art that is truly authentic and reflective of your inner self. The book encourages artists to have fun and not be afraid of the process. It is a tool that can help you become addicted to "painting from the inside out" and create art that is fearless and unique. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, "As Within, So Without": 52 Questions to Calibrate Your Creative Compass is a valuable resource that can help you find clarity and purpose in your creative journey. So, take the time to read the questions and answer them. You never know where they might take you. Your partner in fearless art-making, Samantha  I am divinely guided.
I am a divine manifestation. Through the power of God (Source, Higher Power) all things are possible. I am here now to manifest their glory. The glory of God through me. The glory of God through painting. I am here now. I am listening. I am well. |