 My recent trip to Costa Rica has inspired me. I think this is why I reached for the neon pink?! There are many layers on this painting. I think of each layer as a "chapter" in a book. Some chapters I like better than others, but each chapter is absolutely integral to the visual story. I suppose artists are just that: Visual Storytellers.
Hierarchy of Angels acrylic & mixed media on canvas 36 in. x 48 in.  In a harmonious relationship with your canvas there is no "good", "bad", "right", "wrong", "beautiful", and "ugly". There is simply present moment experience, communion with Source, and experiencing bliss. In Hinduism, this is called Satchitananda. Moving beyond duality towards oneness.
 A mandala is a symbolic picture of the universe. The mandala's purpose is to help transform ordinary minds into enlightened ones and to assist with healing. For our last night together in
Imiloa Institute, Costa Rica, we organized our paintings in the shape of a colorful mandala, and held a sacred fire ceremony to assist in letting go of anything that stood in the way of embracing fearlessness on and off the canvas.  Happy in Thanksgiving. My life wasn't always so idyllic. Once, I identified myself as a victim. Broken, deficient, lacking. Today I am empowered, grateful, anew. Through my work, I attempt to illustrate the redemptive power of choice. "When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be." Patanjali  "In the ocean, I slip from my skin into the soul of the sea." Unknown
In an effort to see the canvas as an extension of ourselves, we wrapped them around our bodies and took them in the ocean for a swim. What’s better than finally manifesting your vision? Sharing the experience with others! I am so incredibly grateful for the Fearless women who joined me in this extraordinary adventure.  The truth is, there are way too many highlights! For the past couple of days I have been thinking about how to organize and communicate everything we experienced during our Fearless Abstract Painting Retreat in Costa Rica at Imiloa. I've come to accept that the task is impossible. Suffice it to say that our time together was nothing short of SPECTACULAR. Many transformations, revelations, connections and insights were made.
Imiloa is the real deal. I thought long and hard about where to host my retreat. I do not align my offerings with just anybody. The people at the core of this inspirational institute are as heart-centered as it gets. We were not "just another retreat passing through". We were treated like family. A sincere and heartfelt Thank You to the people who made it possible for us to have this experience and the 13 brave, intuitive women who came together to paint Fearless deep in the jungle of Costa Rica.  Thank You Universe for the privilege and the opportunity to experience amazing things. Fearless Abstract Painting Retreat in Costa Rica November 14 - 19, 2021 at Imiloa Institute
 My meditative painting process is a juxtaposition of seemingly opposing forces: wild abandon and ritualistic order. Balancing these polarities can often feel like taming a wild horse. Although I prefer to work without preconceived ideas - encouraging each painting to unfold in unexpected, often surprising results, the repetitive nature of adding and subtracting layers to the canvas conjures up the same feelings as one might feel counting beads on a mandala.
 Costa Rica I'm Comin' for Ya! November 14 - 19, 2021 at Imiloa Institute
Standing next to a painting I made weeks after my father's passing. A time during which I dug deep and decided to take greater responsibility for making my dreams a reality. The following poem by the righteous queen: Maya Angelou, is my painting's namesake and the inspiration for setting my dreams to teach a painting retreat in Costa Rica into motion. Her courage inspired my courage during a time I felt devastated by the loss.  SCULPTURAL GOLD | Love the way this piece changes depending on the light.
Sound of My Heart acrylic & mixe media on canvas 24 x 48 in. |