"Transformation Breathing Light" is a profound exploration of the metaphysical properties of water and its role as a medium of change. During my stay in Florence, I intensely studied Botticelli's "Venus," which left a lasting impression on me. This inspiration manifested itself unconsciously in this work, only revealing its connection to Botticelli during my painting process. In the image, a figure submerges underwater, accompanied by fish that guide them into a quiet, introspective world. Water, as an element of transition and transformation, surrounds the figure, symbolizing the entrance into deeper levels of consciousness. It is not just a physical medium but also a metaphysical one, enabling the process of inner change. The fish accompanying the figure represent the soul, serving as guides through this fluid-dynamic realm, which requires constant movement and adaptation. They are silent witnesses and companions on a journey that leads deep within, where transformation is not only possible but inevitable. "Transformation Breathing Light" explores the idea that true change occurs in the hidden and silent—beneath the surface, where water, as a metaphor for the unconscious, takes the lead. The painting invites the viewer to reflect on their own inner processes of transformation and to recognize the transformative power of water and silence.

Framed in contemporary frame with TruVue Optium Acrylic (nonbreakable, lightweight museum plexiglas).

I am fascinated by the ways we re-invent ourselves in accordance to the whims of the society we inhabit; how we are influenced and indoctrinated by its dictates. These oil canvases are my social commentaries on the ongoing love-hate relationship between women, societal standards and self esteem. To achieve the photo studies for these paintings, I submerged Barbie dolls, myself, or a preteen model in my backyard pool and then aimed my camera upwards towards the doll and the under-side of the pool's surface. What you are seeing is both the doll and its underwater reflection. The doll and the water are equally important versions of reflection and distorted reality. These compositions mirror the way Barbie presents a distorted message to girls and women. Like the watery images in the painting, she is a faulty mirror, one that is charming but can grotesquely and unrecognizably distort our sense of the true feminine.

A large part of my process is capturing fleeting moments of strong emotion and vulnerability. Caught By That Piercing Gaze is one such moment. It is a portrait of my daughter during the summer before leaving home and starting college. My intention was to portray some of those universal feelings we all experience before big life transitions; to show the swing of emotion, moment to moment, from anxiety to excitement to fear to confidence, all on the backdrop of an innocuous scene. The juxtaposition of a brightly colored, carefree item with her very serious expression highlights the extremes of emotions. The body of water she’s in provides a complex metaphor: the water envelopes both the figure and her float, she is protected and held aloft, the water is clear without hidden depths, and it is cool against the heat of the sun, the brightness of the float and the intensity of her gaze. Water represents new life and new beginnings; with this defiant expression, I imagine it will be met head on.

“Drift” is a celebration of the peace, exuberance, buoyancy and joy that a body of water can bring. In this case, a manmade body of water, in the form of an inviting, colorful swimming pool. The painting depicts John Gerk, an international fitness model from Spain. John, who recently posed as Saint Francis of Assisi for my “Saints Like Us” series of contemporary portraits of saints, is the epitome of relaxation here as he floats on a vibrant inflatable raft in a pool outside Madrid. Is there a more pleasant, enjoyable, life-affirming way to experience water? One would be hard-pressed to find it.

“The Ocean Within” is a painting that reflects two significant influences in my life: a beloved artist and the ocean near my home. In this portrait, the artist’s thoughtful gaze toward the ocean symbolizes the deep impact her art and ideas have had on me. Her calm expression alongside the vast, moody ocean also shows how the sea’s constant changes inspire my own creativity. I asked her for a picture to paint from, and although her photo was taken in a different space, I wanted to combine her image with my favorite place, the ocean, where I find peace and meditate. This artwork is a tribute to her and a reflection of my connection with the ocean. By merging her image with the ocean background, I’m drawing a parallel between the endless possibilities of the sea and the creativity she has sparked in me. This painting is my personal story, influenced by my admiration for her and the natural world around me.

In recent years, I have been actively exploring plein air painting, which provides a refreshing change from my usual studio work focused on portrait commissions and still life paintings. The experience of painting outdoors in nature is truly invigorating, allowing me to respond to the ever-changing conditions and creating an unforgettable painting. Growing up near the Southern Ocean, I am fortunate to still live and paint in this area that holds a special place in my heart.

In recent years, I have been actively exploring plein air painting, which provides a refreshing change from my usual studio work focused on portrait commissions and still life paintings. The experience of painting outdoors in nature is truly invigorating, allowing me to respond to the ever-changing conditions and creating an unforgettable painting. Growing up near the Southern Ocean, I am fortunate to still live in this area that holds a special place in my heart. The track down to this favourite beach has been blocked off several years ago but it was a great view from up top and a favourite walking place of my teenage years.

In modern society, we often feel suffocated by societal  judgments and expectations, creating an internal struggle between our true selves and external demands. The artwork depicts a woman submerged in the depths of the sea, symbolically shielded by amniotic fluid yet at potential risk if submerged for too long. The figure distances itself from the world, seeking to escape modern society while simultaneously yearning to surface, breaking free from what causes discomfort. The artist prompts reflection on the duality  of protection and potential destruction as the woman grapples  with the desire to detach from reality and aspire to a new,  liberating rebirth, symbolized by water as the source of all life.

A young boy's journey into a wide-open sea is captured in the painting The Ferry Ride, which is an allegory for life. Only the reflected light and his boundless imagination serve as his guides, and he is full of wonder, expectation, and innocence. We accompany him on his adventure to an uncharted and enchanted world. The purpose of the painting is to remind us of the beginning of our own journey, before there were outside influences or diversions, and life was full of possibilities.