"West" 2019. Watercolor & Acrylic on Canvas. 36"x24"
This painting has been a 2.5 year journey, and the final of an underwater collection. In the beginning of 2017, I was commissioned to create the last of the series. He explained he had a fascination with sirens of Greek mythology and a love for the mysteries of the deep blue.
After 4 months of studies and conceptualizing the piece, I had completed the composition and began painting. I had decided I wanted to try a new technique called watercolor pouring. In essence, you paint, with a rubber-like fluid on areas that are to remain white; then pour cupfuls of watercolor onto the canvas. Then you paint masking fluid on areas that are to remain a shade darker then white…and so on and so forth…repeat, scream, gather yourself, find comfort in the color blue, and continue. When the rubber is removed, what is revealed has remained protected and unpainted. As to be expected, executing this piece was arduous; but I loved the surprising blends of colors that came out of the working in this method. As an advocate of mindfulness, yoga, & meditation, this process has taught me a great deal in patience, relinquishing control and trusting the process…and especially myself.
Two years later this painting was finally completed. Unbeknownst to me, only a month prior, the collector Gregory J. West, tragically and unexpectedly passed away at the age of 47. He was a loving father, a connoisseur of finer things like art, wine, and cigars. To honor the life and memory of Greg, I have decided to title the piece after him: West; and have begun to imagine imagery to turn this into an underwater compass series with South, East, & North to come. RIP Gregory J. West 1972-2019
"Violet & Gold", 2017, 14”x11”, Oil & Gold Leaf on Cardboard
Violet & Gold was a seahorse study painted while I was in the drawing stages of West. Seahorses look like a magical creature from another realm. Because of the subtle nuances of it’s anatomy and color shifts, the idea of painting this creature, not just once, but 5 times for the main composition, really intimidated me. The funny thing is, because of the complex composition that West is as a whole, and the complex painting process I chose, the “intimidating” seahorses needed the least amount of treatment!
Below are some Work in Progress Photos of "West"
