“Resonance” 22x28

I’m very much a lover of neutrals and black. My high school colors were black and gold and those colors run deep in me. So, every so many paintings I try to paint a neutral one in the mix of all of my fun bright colored pieces. It is a great lesson each time. I like the simple designs that these colors lend themselves to. They are elegant and look great in just about any interior space. If you think of bright colors as “speaking loudly” in a painting, like louder notes in a song or maybe even a drum beat, neutrals are quiet like whispers or subtle soft tunes. I like adding black too I guess similar to how a pianist or composer uses the ebony keys on a piano or keyboard. It is dramatic and makes a strong statement along side the subtleties of the whites and creams and silvers. The golds and coppers are essential for me also. Not sure I could sign my name to a piece without those details. They make each piece pop and come alive, in my opinion.

“Pastel Therapy” 16x20. I hashed out a lot of pain and frustrations with this piece. I do not usually do that. If I am frustrated, I do not paint. Today something happened in the middle of painting and things took a turn. I felt it was important to keep pressing in rather than to take a break. This piece seemed to be lost, but I love what it turned into. I always love taking the journey with a piece that seems to be a mess or a loss. This one already has a frame and a special place on our own wall. I don't usually gravitate towards these colors, but in this piece they seem to “say something” calm and sweet and gentle. Maybe they remind me of sherbet or sorbet which I loved when I was younger. It may look like chaos to someone who dislikes abstracts. I love the colors in paintings. They are what draws me into a piece. I also think that works of art carry emotion somehow, just like a song can. I like pieces that give me a certain feel. I love the feel I get when I look at this piece, and I’m the artist. That doesn’t usually happen. I’m usually far too critical. I just happen to love being surprised by something I create. Some pieces just seem to have a life of their own. Some pieces just paint themselves. I love that. I just hold the brush and pick the colors as I go along. It might be weird, but it is a process I’ve grown to love and not fear.