 Moments of beauty, courage, and connection. "Painting at the Park" was everything I imagined it would be. And so much more. It's been 4 months since I have orchestrated an in-person gathering of my Fearless Abstract Painters. We all agreed this felt like such a luxury! I did not fully realize how badly I personally needed this to happen. Our meeting felt like a drop of water in a parched, desert landscape. During these unparalleled, challenging times of systemic racism, political failure, and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need many more moments like this: diverse, connected, heart-centred, and bold.  WHAT: Paint in the Park WHEN: Friday, June 12th @ 6pm - 8pm WHERE: Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, UT Connect, paint & get inspired by your "fearless" community. Join me on Friday, June 12th from 6 - 8 pm for an relaxed evening of painting in the park. Bring a canvas, paint, paint roller, spray bottle, paper towels, drop cloth (or something else to sit on) & be ready to paint fearless! This is a free event open to all former students. Limited spots available. Email me if you're interested in joining us.  Is this a good time to host a painting workshop given the current world climate and particularly in the United States? Yes. I believe that if we truly want to change our world for the better, we must begin by raising our consciousness and changing ourselves. How do we do that? Painting a pretty picture is secondary to the change that happens within us when we confront our fears, embrace vulnerability, and step into our power. My work is a celebration. 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. Imagine the world we could create if we were to become the best versions of ourselves. Join me and become part of the movement. Announcing 3 upcoming workshop offerings:  Shop prints on Fine Art America: https://fineartamerica.com/art/samantha+dasilva?searchType=artistname  Painting on the earth, with the earth, reminds me where we came from and where we will eventually return. We owe so much reverence and thanks to this sacred land we tread upon. My paintings are snapshots of my earthly journey. They capture the essence of a place, a feeling, a moment in time. Titanium white, yellow ochre, neutral grey, payne's grey, burt sienna, burnt umber, green clay, white sand, pebbles, feathers, bones, brine flies, charcoal, and salt water from the Great Salt Lake where all used to create this work.  These are strange times indeed. The dichotomy between connection and isolation have never been more apparent. Fortunately, painting offers a gentle, yet powerful reprieve. But you don't have to take my word for it! Allow me to share a recent testimonial from someone who is channeling the healing power of painting during this time in quarantine:  There's never been a better time to begin your "fearless" abstract painting journey. Use your time in quarantine to clear some space and experiment on the canvas. Have fun! In the following blog post, I share my Top 3 unorthodox acrylic painting texture techniques:  Join me for my first ZOOM workshop on May 30th from 10 am - 4 pm MST to learn how to make ethereal, highly textured abstract paintings using unorthodox tools & techniques. For me, there is no better way to homage to the sacred land we tread upon than to infuse the environment into my work namely: iron-rich Utah dirt, salt from The Great Salt Lake, plaster, repurposed paint, and local newspapers. I am inspired by nature's pairings of texture, color combinations, and the way it uses water to cut, carve, blend, build, feed and destroy. For more information & to register: https://continue.utah.edu/lifelong/class/llart_141_diy_acrylic_mediums_and_texture  “After Gold” is a reminder that we are all creators, and that we have the power to manifest our dreams into physical reality. For more stories check out @samanthadasilvafineart In this video, I share my unique set of tools & materials to help you set up your own “Fearless” abstract painting studio. |