African Elephants in My Dreams Painting

I have always loved painting but it took a serious illness for me to discover that painting heals. Now making an emotional connection to my subjects and looking beyond the exterior is what inspires me to put my brush to canvas. Line, because I love the process of drawing and a single line can convey so much, and color, because it can express so many emotions, are most important to me when I paint. I have seen much of the world and discovered beauty and dignity in some unusual places. I grew up in Florida and light and beauty are everywhere, but it was Africa that captured my heart as is seen in my African series. I often start paintings from my photos but use my visual memories to leave the photos behind when I paint scenes and people that I've met in my everyday life and throughout my travels.