Cartoon Cacti 2018. I went through a few years of cacti obsession! This was inspired after a trip to Joshua Tree where I took a photo of a cluster of cacti at sunrise! using student grade watercolors on Canson XL paper. It hangs in my bedroom and I flipping love it still today!
2022. Maya Angelou once said "We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." That year I was in a lot of pain and felt like a puddle of goo, much like what a caterpillar looks like while in crysalis. Painting this reminded me that this, too would pass. Below is the process photo as well as the initial study in my sketchbook, which included monarch butterflies. Daniel Smith watercolors on Baohong Cold Press paper. Half imperial sheet, 22"x15", Etchr Labs Sketchbook
Early 2023, prior to my kidney transplant. I knew that the winter would be long, much like my recovery, and having this MASSIVE 30"x40" sunflower hung in my bedroom would bring me hope and sunshine for a brighter future. Daniel Smith watercolors on Arches cold press paper.
Crab shedding sketchbook study in Etchr Lab sketchbook. 2023
2021: Chameleon on Baohong paper
Crystal study. Started out monochromatic using Daniel Smith Watercolor Amazonite Genuine, but added a pop of Aussie Red Gold at the end. Crystals are more challenging than I thought! 2021 Baohong Paper
My first rendition of the sunflower painting. It has more detail than the final, but I still love it. 2023