HOME was created when the artist was in her teens and is one of her first pastel paintings on paper. It is a good example of how the love of dramatic contrast, both in art and Life, is intrinsic to whom she is.
THE OLD MAN was painted 1984, and is done in pastels on paper. (Please note that, at the time, the artist's last name was Wallace.) It is meant to convey the stunning contradictions of peace in poverty and beauty in age. While the deep lines of a long life tell a story in itself, the old man's eyes gaze into the world beyond the edge of the canvas and make the viewer question how the simple bloom in his gnarled hand can cause such reverie.
BAJA SUNSET was painted in 2009, and is done in oil on stretched canvas. It was commissioned by a young couple who had only memories and a small, dark photo to remember the romantic scene. The subject is a wonderful mix of complimentary colors with washes of yellow over the hazy clouds. The artist decided to capture the essence of this seascape in an impressionistic style because realism in painting this could not possibly compare to the exquisite artistry of Nature itself.
ORANGE CALLA LILIES was painted in 2009 and is done in oil on stretched canvas. It is the first of a series of paintings of "simple" flowers presented dramatically through composition, color, light, and shadow. The artist chose this particular subject because light seems to glow from behind and through the blooms as if they are semi-transparent, and because of the subtle background that barely reveals the long leaves almost hidden.
STARGAZER was painted in 2010 and is done in acrylic on stretched canvas. It is the second in a series of floral paintings that convey the effect of the one simple yet dramatically lit bloom against a dark, complimentary background. It was a delightful challenge for the artist since the seemingly uncomplicated flower had a great deal more detail and subtle nuance than first glance revealed. Finishing it well was deeply satisfying.
TULIP BOX was painted in 2010 and is done in acrylic on wood. The inside has a padded, lined bottom, and the lid is hinged and closes with a clasp. This is intended to be in the same vein of the dramatic Florals done on canvas but is the perfect blend of beauty and function.
SEASON OF SUNSETS was painted in 2011 and is done in acrylic on a 24x36 stretched canvas. Now gracing the wall of the artist's home, it is, in essence, a framed memory of Santa Monica Beach at the end of a perfect day, a lovely reminder that the sweetest love can often be found later in Life as the sun is setting.