Blog

I’ve been thinking lately about artists, writers and spiritual leaders whose work has influenced me over the years, and I want to acknowledge the role they’ve played in shaping my artistic vision and my spiritual journey.  They say it takes a village to raise a child. I put forth that it takes a village to make a painting.  Each painting I do is the cumulation of influences and life experiences. I am not aware of these while I am painting, but I can see them afterward, woven through the layers of paint.  And so, what follows is an attempt to pay homage to some of my teachers.

There are the celebrated painting masters - most notably Franz Marc.

And contemporary masters:  Wolf Kahn, Peter Rogers, John Nieto, Rocky Hawkins, Sharron Evans, Jean Richardson.

Then there are the artists who I am privileged to personally know. Most of these artists live and work in Colorado. Their work is singular, expressive, creative. Beyond that I have learned from each of them something that has helped me on my vision quest.  In no particular order:  Amelia Caruso, Bob Coonts,  Lance Green, Ken Elliott, Jennifer Scott McLaughlin, Clive Tyler.

The writings of Peter Rogers (A Painter's Quest), Ken Elliott (Manifesting 123), Don Miguel Ruiz (The Four Agreements), Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now) and Ted Andrews (Animal Speak) have all added to the fabric of my creativity.

The life and teachings of St. Francis of Assissi, Jesus of Nazareth and Guatama Buddha.  My parents, who taught by example how to be empathetic, kind and courageous, and the value of hard work.  My children and their children, who teach me daily how to see with fresh eyes.  My husband, who quietly encourages me to keep painting.

Other influences include contemporary Indian art as well as traditional textiles (persian, native american, turkmenistan, african, etc.)

All of my designs are painted spontaneously and intuitively, reaching deep into my subconscious.  There are reoccuring patterns and shapes, but no two are alike. Sometimes the painting is all about the design, sometimes the design falls within the confines of an animal. Sometimes the paintings are loose, other times tight, almost graphic. But always, they come from my heart.