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.