Whistler's Sister, Arrangement with Animals (A Parody, after James Whistler) Painting

I paint stylized, whimsical figures that are often depicted in conjunction with animals or sea-creatures as a way of exploring the human-animal connection and raising questions about our interaction with the natural world. I enjoy conjuring feelings of nostalgia and yearning, and dabble in quirkiness, sarcasm and irony. A few years back I spent a sabbatical year of adventure aboard a sailboat exploring the Caribbean and Central America. This time spent at sea continues to influence my work - with aquatic life, and the colors of the sea finding their way into much of my work. Although I spent nearly twenty years painting murals and hand-painted furniture pieces, I now focus on acrylic and mixed media paintings. Primarily self taught, I hail from a long line of artists, and have studied art in a variety arenas, including classes and workshops with master artists. I am a voracious reader, and enjoy collecting experiences, folk art, and textiles from around the world. I am currently represented by The Cottage Gallery on Los Rios, located in the historic Los Rios District in San Juan Capistrano, CA.