Personal digital Artwork
January 2022/ Adobe Fresco
Before I painted the eyes using a vector brush, I penned-in an actual letter that I can imagine someone writing in reflection of a long life. I made sure I painted the eyes to reveal only key words so that everyone can fill in their own story.
THIS PIECE MADE IT INTO THE 2023 CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR FINE ARTS COMPETITION
Even though this looks nothing like me (...yet), this is a rather reflective piece. As I hit my 50s, I seem to be looking at my life story through a clearer lens. I can see events, people, and the choices I've made from different angles, so it feels like I'm concurrently losing my eyesight while gaining my hindsight.
I remember my parents going through this when I was a teenager, though at the time I was unaware.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though. I can now clearly see the wonderful parts of my story and the people in it. I recognize the beauty in what is simple and have gratitude for all of the right things.
Embrace hindsight. It makes us better people.
what we didn't see
April 7, 2023 Adobe Fresco
THIS PIECE MADE IT INTO THE 2023 CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR FINE ARTS COMPETITION
On August 11, 2014, Robin Williams died by his own hand -- a genuine loss for humanity. Probably the most painful part of his death (besides so many people not understanding why it happened) is that while this beautiful soul brought joy to so many, he was in tremendous pain and no one could help him. We could not bring him the peace that he brought us; therein lies the tragedy.
Mental health discussions have to be normalized for everyone, especially for those who are facing enormous challenges in life.
We can celebrate all that he gave the world, but to truly honor Robin Williams, we have to speak our own truth and support those who struggle. Actively addressing mental health is not shameful; in fact, acknowledging its reality and the beauty of those who deal with it daily is a heroic act.
Speak your truth and define your support system. You are not alone.
My digital artwork is all done by hand using the stylus as a paintbrush. It is the same process and skill as traditional painting, but the end result is better because I have unlimited access to every tool, brush, and color, so the artwork is more dynamic.
I paint for tranquility--to soothe my own mental health and bring peaceful vibes to any environment. Some of my work asks you to think about your own experience, but every single peace is meant to bring tranquility to the soul.
Eagle's Challange
June 2022/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is a 12x16 canvas)
Made as a gift for the school where I work, Vista del Lago High School. I used a "live" oil brush over a vector layer.
Bert
June 2022/ Adobe Fresco
Made for the fun of it. I love painting with vivid colors! I painted a vector version first and then used "live" watercolor brushes for the top layer.
Why Bert? It just seems like a fine name for a fish!
Interested in owning a piece? The digital images are all on sale for $45 (purchaser receives a full-size image that they can use as they want); if you want it professionally printed and ready-to-hang, prices vary based on material (canvas, archival paper, or metal) and size. Click on the Purchase Inquiry button to see prices or scroll to the bottom of the page.
March 2022/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is 8x10)
THIS PIECE MADE IT INTO THE 2023 CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR FINE ARTS COMPETITION
This started as a 'learning' painting -- I was only trying to learn how to combine brushes for different effects. However, it turned out so beautifully I can't treat it as anything less than my favorite painting.
First, the color combinations are stunning here. The rich blue with strokes of gold doesn't just capture attention--it holds it and demands study. The movement of her body draws the eye to the gold scarf and the nearly impossible point of her foot. I don't know this dancer--she is a composite of a few dancers on Pinterest-- but she is captivating. I love her.
Ava
March 2022/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is 8x10")
This is a daughter of a good friend--a tremendously talented dancer. I love the lines and and movement in her skirt, and I learned so much painting this.
I layered using live, vector, and pixel brushes for different effects, and though it took me forever to complete, I enjoyed every second of it.
April 2022/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is 8x10")
Continuing my journey in movement and dance, I watched hours of Spanish dancers on YouTube for inspiration. So beautiful! So graceful and poetic. I would love to be able to capture the motion and drama of it all.
The background and bottom layer of the dancer is all done with a vector brush/colors. Layered over the dancer is watercolor ('live' brushes) and I used pixel brushes for the flair and music that surrounds her. I almost used a purple watercolor background because it was so bright and beautiful, but in the end I didn't want anything to distract from her.
March 2022/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is 8x10")
I had so much fun with Wild Heart that I had to paint another dancer. I knew I wanted to imply red wine with a red dancer, but didn't know how. After a few tries, I landed on this -- just a splash of cabernet.
untitled
May 2023/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is 8x10")
I painted this as a commissioned gift for someone's graduation. She is stunning as she defies gravity.
The background and bottom layer of the dancer are all done with a vector brush/colors. Watercolor ('live' brushes) are layered over the dancer, and pixel brushes created the texture in the background.
Free
April 2022/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is 8x10")
I love that dancers have the unique ability to escape into their movement and rhythm, freeing themselves from the weight of life. This piece celebrates the ability for the soul to soar in dance, like birds in flight.
I used vector brushes on the dancers and birds because I wanted to capitalize on the abstract effect it creates, but I had fun with the background, creating a gritty scene to contrast their grace and soft textures.
Interested in owning a piece? The digital images are all on sale for $45 (purchaser receives a full-size image that they can use as they want); if you want it professionally printed and ready-to-hang, prices vary based on material (canvas, archival paper, or metal) and size. Click on the Purchase Inquiry button to see prices or scroll to the bottom of the page.
Juilian
April 2022/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is 9x11"
Julian is a daughter of a friend--the painting is inspired by a mashup of two portraits of her. I cannot come close to the beauty of her in real-life or those photos (talk about talent), but painting her was a treat.
The bottom layer of the dancer and the fabric is done with a vector brush. Layered over them is watercolor ('live' brushes), and I used pixel brushes for the background. I love the sense of her floating in air with complete grace.
Kiss
March 2022/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is 8x10")
In case you can't tell, I avoid painting head-on because I still struggle with faces. Of all of the places to make mistakes, someone's face is the last place I want to do it, so you will only see profiles at most. This limits my creative options until I am able to conquer the challenge, so I'm always looking for ways to still create relevant art that is worthwhile.
This is inspired by the dancer (Tina?) in Prince's "Kiss" video, and it has given me such anxiety! I both love it and hate it because it is so different from the rest. I used live oil brush brushes for this painting over a layer of vector paint to make sure the colors stayed vibrant.
Poppy Ballet
May 2022/ Adobe Fresco (Original print is 8x10")
THIS PIECE MADE IT INTO THE 2022 CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR FINE ARTS COMPETITION AND WON A AWARD OF MERIT!
Poppies are the happiest flowers and warm my heart from the winter gloom when they appear each spring. The joy that they bring me is almost irrational, so it is a bummer when their brief season ends in California.
This is my twisted marriage of grade and beauty, dancer and poppy--a big change from what I've been doing lately. Perhaps a new series of dancing flowers?
First, I painted the dancer with vector brushes for maximum opacity, then went over it all with soft-pastel pixel brushes. Finally, l used a conte crayon (another pixel brush) for the flowers. I finished with little flying friends and light, sun-kissed clouds.
Spring RECITAL ii
July 2022/ Adobe Fresco 8x10"
Interested in owning a piece? The digital images are all on sale for $45 (purchaser receives a full-size image that they can use as they want); if you want it professionally printed and ready-to-hang, prices vary based on material (canvas, archival paper, or metal) and size. Click on the Purchase Inquiry button to see prices or scroll to the bottom of the page.
Homecoming
THIS PIECE MADE IT INTO THE TUBAC'S "UNKNOWN NATURE OF BEING" EXHIBITION IN 2022.
I used a combination of vector and pixel (oil) brushes to give the moment texture. I especially love the richness of the oil paint brush for the bedspread as well as the reflection of the light.
December 2021/Adobe Fresco
On Feb 27, 2018, my mother passed away while my sisters and I sat holding her hands. It was painful, but a beautiful experience nonetheless. She'd always been by my side when I needed her, and it was a privilege to be by her side in her last moments.
I knew that this would be an important memory, so I somehow had enough sense to take a photo of our hands when she passed.
I've tried numerous times to paint it with watercolors for art therapy, but I never quite got it right. In fact, one attempt made me so frustrated I quit painting from March to July of 2021.
Thankfully, it finally all came together in this digital painting that I genuinely love.
Morning Glory
March 2022/ Adobe Fresco
From my Tranquility series -- a beautiful sunrise with ducks headed to breakfast.
The Morning Glory is born from an evening of experimenting with sunset skies. So peaceful, I can picture being there.
Ode to Kilmer
THIS PIECE WAS FEATURED IN TWO ONLINE SHOWCASES -- THE RED BLUFF GALLERY 2022 BEST OF THE BEST EXHIBITION, AND THE 2022 LAS LAGUNA ART GALLERY 50 AND OLDER ART EXHIBITION
November 2021/ Adobe Fresco, giclee on premium paper; 24" x 36"
This is meant to be a visual field trip in celebration of trees, so have fun. There are abstract designs embedded in the trunk and thousands upon thousands of dots in various colors and sizes. My primary goal is to hold the viewer's attention as long as possible while soothing the soul. Nothing can be the power of nature to soothe the soul.
"Trees"
by Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
Spring for Kilmer
March 2022/ Adobe Fresco
Just like its companion, this is meant to be a visual celebration of trees. There are abstract designs embedded in the trunk and thousands upon thousands of dots in various colors and sizes. My primary goal is to hold the viewer's attention as long as possible.
Interested in owning a piece? The digital images are all on sale for $45 (purchaser receives a full-size image that they can use as they want); if you want it professionally printed and ready-to-hang, prices vary based on material (canvas, archival paper, or metal) and size. Click on the Purchase Inquiry button to see prices or scroll to the bottom of the page.
Jan Diego
September 2021/ Adobe Fresco
This is my first digital panting that wasn't of an animal. The reference photo for this is of me, little Janice (Freaking) De Witt, as I ran into the waves in San Diego at Mission Beach. I have great memories there with my sister, Val.
March 2022/ Adobe Fresco
Soul
Soul is part of my Tranquility series--art for mental health. Ironically, this was especially difficult because of the ROCKS. Rocks are hard. (No pun intended).
Mood
February 2022/ Adobe Fresco
This is a piece from my Tranquility series. I love the West Coast and the peace it brings to my soul, so this painting's purpose is to transport the viewer to a place to coastal tranquility. Even the act of painting it over a month was relaxing.
Simply Ducky
March 2022/ Adobe Fresco
I love this fun little guy! I saw a video with a duck running happily through sprinklers, so I had to paint him! He makes me incredibly happy.
Quackers
April 2022/ Adobe Fresco
I needed another duck in my life, and Simply Ducky needed a friend. I wanted to practice light/shadow, and I am pleased with how it came out.
Pony Girl
June 2022/ Adobe Fresco/ 8x10"/ 9x11"
This painted pony (pardon the pun) was fun to create, but she needed a best friend, so along came a chicken...
My Chicken
June 2022/ Adobe Fresco/ 8x10"/ 9x11"
Digitally painting this hen was freeing! I had fun playing with the colors in her feathers, a beautiful match for her Pony Girl
Interested in owning a piece? The digital images are all on sale for $45 (purchaser receives a full-size image that they can use as they want); if you want it professionally printed and ready-to-hang, prices vary based on material (canvas, archival paper, or metal) and size. Click on the Purchase Inquiry button to see prices or scroll to the bottom of the page.
SHAPE OF DREAMS
January 2022/ Adobe Fresco
This started as something I was painting for fun, intended to help me practice layering values, but I love the contours. I have it printed on a canvas, but I plan to add to it...
SAVE THE BEES
October 2021/ Adobe Fresco
The title says it all.
Photo carousel: Examples of how my artwork looks printed.
Pricing for printing (+$45 for artwork):
Paper
(Archival Matte Paper; acid free)
5x7 – $10
8x10 – $14
9x11 – $18
11x14 – $23
16x20 – $49
Gallery Canvas
(Includes hanging hardware; Artisan Archival Canvas; thick stretched and mounted)
8x10 – $43
9x11 – $49
11x14 – $60
12x16 – $70
Add a floating frame (black) ($25)
Add a floating frame (white) ($25)
Metal
(HD Chromaluxe; has a white base to maximize color and contrast; includes metal hanging bracket)
8x10 – $60
9x11 – $70
11x14 – $85
16x20 – $100