Four Oranges

The heat of the summer in Tucson, Arizona keeps me from painting outdoors.  So what do I do? I paint indoors.  The back of our house brings in abundance of western light.  I decided to start a citrus series using oranges, keylimes, limes, lemons, and grapefruit.  I placed each of the fruit on a white acrylic sheet to show the reflection of the of the objects in the bright light.  This was the result of my efforts of "Four Oranges" painted in oil.

This piece was done in once sitting.  I used bold strokes using a limited palette of red, blue, yellow, orange, and white.  I enjoyed placing each orange in this impressionistic still life.  I intended for the viewer to see this still life as if he or she could literally taste the sweetness of the oranges.  Whether my intention worked or not, I'll leave that to the mind of the viewer.

Shown are some work in progress pictures of "Four Oranges".  Enjoy!

Sunset In New Mexico

 New Mexico was my first home.  I was raised in a small town called Alamogordo.  After high school, I moved to Albuquerque to pursue a dental hygiene degree, then moved with my husband to Tucson, Arizona.  We frequently make trips to and from Albuquerque to visit family.  This painting was inspired by the New Mexico sunset during a trip back to Tucson.  I shot a reference photograph on Highway 26 between Hatch and Deming, New Mexico to help recreate the scene.  From the photo and memory, I completed this triptych panoramic view of a gorgeous New Mexico sunset.  It was done using oil paints on three 4" x 4" canvases.  

Teeth Mandala

  

Teeth may be very odd for most people to look at.  I had studied teeth in dental hygiene school and am intrigued by the contours and shapes of each tooth.  So I decided to create a mandala of teeth.  I decided to associate this mandala with a flower design to give the viewer a positive aspect of teeth.  This piece was done using Prismacolored pencils, ink, and paper. 

Lone Sailboat

"Lone Sailboat" was a plein air painting created in oil done on location at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California around early afternoon.  I took to this sailboat that was drifting by as I painted the water and the waves.  Painting from life outdoors is my favorite way to paint because it allows me to paint faster and more accurately. Painting faster helps to capture the colors of the ever-changing light and shadows.  I am inspired reading about the original impressionist like Monet, Renoir, Degas, etc.  Painting outdoors allows me to enjoy nature as well as finding inner peace. 

Moonlight Beach Sunset

One of my favorite beaches, because it lacks rocks in the sand, is Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California.  I have enjoyed this spot during vacations to the west coast, and I have painted the beach and ocean other times.  This was painted in oil from a photo reference I took on our last day at the beach.  The sun had set, behind the clouds in the horizon.  Light from the sun had illuminated the clouds above in colors of pink, orange, and yellow.  It was a beautiful evening!

Two Red Pears

This still life came about after doing some research about symbolism and what certain fruit mean in oil paintings.  Pears can symbolize longevity.  My daughter Carli and my late son, Bodhi, helped me envision this piece.  The whole pear represents my daughter, and the sliced pear represents my short-lived son.  My intent in this piece was to let the observer know that sometimes art can be created through therapy from a tragedy. Painting is a form of my therapy.  Maybe this piece may have the same symbolic interpretation to others in a somewhat similar situation.  Whatever interpretation the viewer may have, I am glad you took a look.

Kona Sunset

One of my favorite places to be is near or on the ocean.  This Kona Sunset oil painting was inspired from a picture taken from the last day of a babymoon trip to Hawaii with my husband.  Our last adventure during the trip was to take a boat with a group of snorkelers to watch the manta rays feed at night.  Maybe due to a full moon, the manta rays failed to show, but the sunset was of good use! 

I used a combination of warm and cool colors to add variety, drama, and movement.  It was so fun to paint this!

Phalaenopsis Orchid

Phalaenopsis orchid blooms were the inspiration for this painting. Anything nature has to offer in its beauty, I love to emulate in my own version through paints. Before I painted this piece, I photographed the orchid in a bright room to find an image to show the beautiful petals in the daylight. I really enjoyed creating this piece using realism for the orchids and an impressionistic background.

Aquamarine Gemstone

My inspiration to paint this intricate oil painting was because my husband Jonas (a jeweler/graduate gemologist) bought the faceted aquamarine from an awesome stone cutter, John Dyer.  I photographed it in direct sun to show its beautiful reflections.  Painting this was soothing, yet challenging, and I had to use a very steady hand (my dental hygienist skills helped!).

Moonlight Beach

Moonlight Beach was the inspiration for this oil painting.  Located in Encinitas, California, it is one of my favorite beaches because there are no rocks in the sand.  I painted this in plein air, or on location last summer.  Wishing I was there right now!

Flying Saucer

"Flying Saucer" is an oil painting of a blooming echinopsis cactus.  It is a magnificent flower that usually stays bloomed for a day or two.  I painted this in an impressionistic style.  I love how big and beautiful these pink flowers get, about 7 to 8 inches across!

Bee and Poppies

   Our backyard garden in 2012 was the inspiration for this oil painting.  My husband took photos of this busy bee and the beautiful poppies.  I wanted to paint it.  I felt it was a good challenge and am happy with the way it came out.

Agua Caliente

       When I was pregnant with my late son, Bodhi, evenings after long work days at the dental office were focused on my two-year-old daughter, Carli.  I rarely had time to paint because she was a handful!  However, I managed to sneak this painting in called "Agua Caliente".  It is this hidden natural spring in north-east Tucson, Arizona.  I take my daughter here often, and enjoy their historic art gallery.  If you ever visit Tucson, I recommend it!

Mandala

           Mandalas are very universal.  Several cultures and religions believe mandalas are symbolic of the universe and balance.  The way I created this mandala was by using repetitive shapes and colors throughout the circle creating that balance.

           After my son Bodhi died, I needed to focus my attention on healing from depression.  I created this mandala as a way to meditate.  I believe creating art is a therapy in itself.  When I paint or draw, I find a sense of peace.  I can get lost in a trance while painting.  It's fun and helps me to improve my skills as well.  If I don't like the results of a painting or drawing, I usually revisit it days, weeks, or even years later.  But no matter the result of the finished piece, I know that my creations illuminate the awareness within myself.

           

           This mandala reminded me of the days my husband and I vacationed in Kona, Hawaii.  I was 4 months pregnant with my son.

Reflection of a Great Blue Heron

"Reflection of a Great Blue Heron" is a plein air composition completed on location.  It was done at Fort Lowell Park in Tucson, AZ.  I found the perfect spot in the shadow of a large sign. Where I sat showed only the reflection of the bird sitting on a branch of a log in a pond with two big trees in the foreground.  Luckily, the bird perched on that branch the whole hour I painted him!  An ant bit my lower back, but it was definitely worth it.

Baby Blocks

I've been experimenting with a different subject matter that I typically don't do.  This one is of a still life of baby blocks.  This oil painting has a lot of symbolism, mainly the lettering and the pictures on the blocks that I chose to use.  The letter "B" is for Bodhi, my late son; "D" is for DeSantis, his last name; "Q" is for my friend Quiauna, she was pregnant during the time I was with my son Bodhi; the number "1" for Bodhi being my first son; number "2" for Bodhi being my second child; the picture of a present also represents my son (although he is not present, he was one of the greatest gifts I had ever been fortunate to have had).

https://www.etsy.com/listing/239038767/original-oil-painting-of-baby-blocks-on?ref=shop_home_active_1

I plan to make more nursery/children room related paintings, mainly to honor my son through my creativity.

Independence of a Three Year Old Girl

She is my inspiration, my daughter, my Carli.


I have always wanted children.  When I found out my first one was a girl (the day she was born), I was extremely excited.  She was everything I dreamed for a daughter, and she still is.

Three years old is here, and halfway gone.  Her independence seems to grow with her confidence.  I can imagine several parents with daughters her age can relate.

I painted this oil painting called "Independence of a Three Year Old Girl" because I wanted to show what this girly-girl does in her room when mom is not around.  Clothes fly from her top dresser drawer to the floor in search of the "perfect" outfit.  Her kid's table chair is used as a step stool, of course.

Fortunately, I didn't have to make this scene up.  She does this almost everyday (although, I tell her not to use her chair anymore...not too safe!).

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY

Are you the same person you were in the past?  I hope not!  I know that my life had changed this past year alone.