“The Chakras” The Root Chakra Muladhara Painting

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, I currently co-reside in the hilly and architecturally fascinating area of Los Feliz in Los Angeles, California as well as a residence in Phoenix. Although I am a professional composer and songwriter; Steinway & Sons pianist and singer, I was compelled to experience my love of color through the freedom of emotional expression that is "painting." My first canvas was a wall. I studied many types of faux techniques with various professional painters eventually moving on to actual canvas'. My intentions included repurposing leftover paint and recycling canvas and tools used in the process of putting the paint on the canvas. Every piece is approached with a reflective alert mind, an open loving heart and a fierce awareness for various styles that may or may not be included. Inspiration finds me. The passion and fragility of the impressionistic and abstract expressionistic painters such as Camille Pissaro and Mark Rothko, and Jackson Pollack continue to feed my humbled spirit. Regarding the process. I find that the process of painting intersects with the way I create music..It is traditionally taught that there are five stages to an artist's process including inspiration, percolation, preparation, creation, and reflection. Often, for me, they merge together. Or, one of the processes may take much longer than the others. For example, percolation can be a long drawn out thing! Further, each piece enjoys its own tempo--art or song--playing with the play that takes place every time. My intentions are to share my direction as taught in the Noble Eightfold Path found in Buddhism and Eastern religions. The right view, right thought, right action, and so on. It all begins with "Gathering the Light." After that, I believe in bringing the invisible to the visible with joy, creativity, imagination, love and compassion. JN