Artist & Creative Wellness Coach

Acrylics & collage ephemera.  January 2014.

Every other year, the Morgan Adams Foundation puts on an amazing art auction night that is just magical.  I have been priveleged to participate in from its beginnings in 2001.  I started by donating handmade notecards, moved onto resin pendants and now paintings!  This one, called "Ponderings" is my best yet.  Even Joan Slaughter, founder of ARTMA, wants it BAD!  :0).  Here is more info on the event:  http://artmaonline.org/artma/event/event.htm

Acrylics.  January 2014.

This is my first mandala I've ever made!  Can't believe it's taken so long.  I really enjoyed the meditative process of creating it.

Acrylics.  January 2014.

I did do a painting for Gierma's Christmas present that  I'd like to share!  He was so cute...he said my painting looked better than the reference photo.  Love that not so little guy!

Acrylics.  January 2014.

Taking an on-line mixed media workshop from Jeanne Oliver called "Studying Under the Masters".  This week's lesson is on Matisse.  The painting I picked to replicate is called "Ballet Dancer Seated on a Stool".  I learned a lot from this excercise!  I had to do several layers in order to capture the color combinations that Matisse had going in his painting even though it seemed pretty simple and straight forward.  Also, I learned that Matisse was definitely a graphic in his composition.  For instance, the bold black outline on the right side of the dancer.  It's not realistic, but it definitely makes her stand out and it works with his painting!

Pastels & acrylics.  April 2014

My sweet Parker...

Acrylics.  March 2014.

My sister and I went to a Canvas and Cocktail party.  The kind where they tell you how to paint a certain scene.  To be honest, I didn't like the pressure of being an artist and painting amongst a bunch of a lot of women!  So, it showed and I wasn't happy with my results.  

This painting is a revised one with my style, my way(lol).

Acrylics.  April 2014.

I've been wanting to learn more about Frida Kahlo, so I checked out the gorgeous book "Frida" from the library.  I have been so inspired of her story and her paintings that I thought I'd try my hand at painting her, keeping her style in mind.  Bold and loose was my mission!  I love how she turned out!   I only wish that I had painted her on canvas-this happens to be my art journal she's in!

Acrylics.  March 2014

What a boring name for a painting, right?  For me, that is the worse part about painting-coming up with a "title" for your piece.  The piece speaks for itself.

Anyway, I was focusing on values in this painting.  I loved how it turned out and had copies made to make gratitude notecards that I've been sending out to friends and family this year!

Acrylics & Pastels.  March 2014.

Self portraits are so hard to get accurate.  At the same time, they really help you to sharpen your skills!

Acrylics & water soluble pencil.  April 2014.

In this painting, I just used a stabilo pencil and titanium white acrylic paint.  I love to be able to use just these two things to create such a great range of values.   For some reason, Gierma looks older in this painting, like he's 18!  For the life of me, I could not figure out what it is that made him look older!  

Acrylics & Collage Ephemera.  September 2014

Buna is the amharic word for COFFEE!  I just finished this painting for Ethiopia Reads' "Ethiopian Odyssey" coming up October 22, here in Denver.  Along with other paintings by differents artists, it will be auctioned off to raise money for Ethiopia Reads.  

The word "jebena" written on the background, is the word for this tradistional ethiopian coffee pot.  The amharic word written to the left of the jebena in red is "buna".  On the jebena, I've painting the amharic word "selam" which means peace.

The ethiopian coffee ceremony is a beautiful thing.  I feel the coffee ceremony respresents Ethiopia well.  It is a time of fellowship.  It is a time to share.  It is a time to take in the moment.  What a fantastic way to celebrate life with friends and the best tasting coffee!

Logo Design.  April 2014.

In February, my dear friend, Kate Frost, hired me to design her new business logo.  It was a pleasure working with Kate on this project.  It makes it so much easier when designer and client are in sync!  I designed her logo, business cards, note cards, stationery and stickers.  We found out the hard way that printers do NOT like gradients!  Glad we kept to our guns because I think the logo looks terrific with it!!

Acrylics.  May 2014.

Painting objects that make me happy; roses from Steve and brushes that represent painting.

Acrylics & Collage Ephemera.  May 2014.

Faces are challenging to me so I'm especially proud of how this painting turned out.

Acrylics.  June 2014.

This painting has been very popular for people to commission me for.  It has been a great way for mothers to empower their daughters with their custom affirmations.

Acrylics & Water Soluble Pencil.  September 2014.

I really enjoy painting with just a water soluable pencil and white acrylic paint.  I can get so many values with just those two things, it's amazing.  I painted a portrait of Gierma in this similar style.

Acrylics & Collage Ephemera.  November 2014.

I've been wanting to learn more about Frida Kahlo, so I checked out the gorgeous book "Frida" from the library.  I have been so inspired of her story and her paintings that I thought I'd try my hand at painting her, keeping her style in mind.  Bold and loose was my mission!  I love how she turned out!   I only wish that I had painted her on canvas-this happens to be my art journal she's in!

Paper Mache & Acrylics.  October 2014.

A couple years ago, I painted a Frida Dias Des Los Muertos mask.  It was sold right away!  Missing Frida, I painted another one.  Only, this one is more elaborate!

Acrylics.  November 2014.

I wanted to capture the beautiful colors and crispness of my favorite season.