Joshua Tree Desert Nights Painting

Biography: After receiving a degree in design, I worked for brands in apparel and consumer goods for several years. I enjoyed this profession and was fortunate enough to sell my own brand to major stores as well. I cherish the experience of meeting various artisans around the world as I traveled for work to produce products. A year ago I made a career pivot and embarked on an exciting artistic adventure.  This adventure has lead me to create artwork for several gallery exhibits, permanent public art installations, graphics for a music festival, and a special art project for a new fire station. I feel very fortunate to be in the arts, and am working on giving back. I have written grants that have funded art festivals, and am currently a gallery board member. Artist Statement: Driven by a deep passion for the arts, I enjoy experimenting with traditional and contemporary media in my paintings.  Inspired by my exploration of the outdoors, I find inspiration in the picturesque landscapes and the captivating elements of land and sea.  I feel my background in designing for brands gives me a unique perspective in my artwork.  My technical design skills and creative vision influence my work.  Today I have a a new perspective and deep appreciation for the art world, and I continue to push boundaries and explore new artistic horizons.  I spend time painting between two cities [Solana Beach]  and [yucca valley] .  Studio in an airplane hangar at the Yucca Valley Airport. The influence of these locations inspires my artwork in land + sea + desert + horizons. Painting and drawing is a very meditative experience for me; it’s the only action where I lose my sense of time. I want to see where the colors, paint, my memory/emotions and movement lead me. Often there is a small unexpected shape that unfolds, that leads me in a direction. I also enjoy the many layers of creating an artwork, and often rotate from canvas, digital illustration, and then back to canvas again in the journey. I want to create something that has depth, that portrays an emotion and transports the viewer to have their own visual experience. Currently I am blending my knowledge of textiles and enjoying the combination of paint + textile to create new textures and effects that enhance my artwork and artistic expression. This method also has a up-cycling component, where I utilize an upholstery type method of internal construction utilizing fabric remnants.