Abundant Love
Valentine’s Day is just a month away, and I have to admit it’s not one of my favorites. Not that I don’t appreciate love, or the efforts of the somewhat ambiguous St. Valentine, martyred in the 2nd century by the Roman emperor Claudius for, among other things,...
No matter how small, God’s Love is big!
I have a nervous Boxer named Patti. She came to us after years of neglect and abuse and I love her to death. She reminds me of myself at a young age: overly concerned about small stuff, shy and scared in new situations, but joyful once she feels safe. After a few...
It’s time for those American holiday sales!
In honor of the great American eating and shopping holidays of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday (yikes!), I’ve got some special Holiday Sales for you. If you're looking for something unique and art-inspired, I may be able to help you check a few gifts off...
How to paint a house
I recently had the privilege of creating a special home portrait for a patron in my hometown. I thought I'd share my progress on how to paint a house here. We began with some sketches of her ranch-style home, which were then transferred to the canvas. I start all my...
Art Box Project #2!
Last year I was privileged to paint one my city’s electrical boxes as part of the Art Box Project San Jose. Recently, I was contacted to paint a second box to reflect the original cherry orchards that used to grace the corner of Hamilton/Pine and Hicks Roads in Willow...
The Value of an Art Education
There was a point mid-way through my university art education when my mom kindly suggested, “Why don’t you study business instead so you can get a job?” Ahhh... the lament of so many well-meaning parents. So I added in a business minor. I suffered through every econ,...
Hail Mary, Full of Grace
“Hail Mary,” 22 x 30", Acrylic on Canvas Growing up Catholic, we were taught to honor Mary as the Mother of God through reciting the prayers of the Rosary. Like prayer-bead traditions from other religious practices, the Rosary is designed to slow you down and...
The Joy of Imperfection
Making art can be a lot of fun, but it’s not always easy. At times it can be down-right torturous. My perfectionist mindset kicks in, saying, “You should be able to command divine inspiration at will… You have to make a great piece of art now… Maybe you’re not as...
The Spirit is a Movin’
Oh, woe is me, woe is me…no one can possibly understand my pain and suffering! Well, yes, actually they can, and they probably have. In a spiritual realm, we are all connected. Pain or joy in any one of us has an effect in the paint or joy of all of us. If you’ve ever...
Treasured memories: An art commission of Orcas Island
Happy New Year! For my first post of 2013, I’d like to share some work completed at the end of 2012. This is an art commission for a family to commemorate their annual vacation on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands in Washington State (USA). It features friends and...
ArtBox Project San Jose!
If you ever find yourself traveling down Curtner Avenue in the Willow Glen area of San Jose, CA, be sure to look North as you cross Booksin Ave and you will see my lastest public artwork. I am one of over 30 artists (so far) who are painting the city’s electrical...
A Calendar of Healthy Eating
I wanted to share with you a recent design and art project I completed for the Berkeley Unified School District in Northern California. In an age of school budget cuts, Berkeley Unified has remained committed to providing its students with nutritious, fresh foods, and...