Whispers Between Horizons

Do you ever lie on your back and look at the sky? When you are out at sunrise and dawn do you notice the changes in the sky? I am continually drawn to where the sky and earth meet. To me, the horizon feels like a quiet conversation with nature, one that shifts and softens and is filled with possibilities and unspoken truths.

Layering colours that blend gently into one another echoes the stillness I feel when I am standing at the edge of earth and sky. This piece is intended to create a space that feels expansive yet intimate. I invite you to pause and listen to the whispers that arise in those in-between moments and spaces.

I am excited to share this piece and others in the series where I am inspired by the natural world and changes around me. Whispers Between Horizons holds a sense of calm and reflection, while leaving room for you to bring your own story. What do you see between the earth and the sky?

The Ribbon - Flow, Movement and Abstract Expression

There are a couple of paintings that for me have been pivotal shifts in my evolving style this is one. I am was drawn to the idea of movement, the way something as simple as a ribbon can twist, turn and flow through space with both elegance and unpredictability. I wanted to capture that sense of freedom, where the gesture of the brush becomes a kind of choreography.

The layered colours and expressive strokes in this piece moire the shifting path of a ribbon as it dances on air. There’s a rhythm in the curves, a push and pull between control and release similar to life. In this piece, intuition and spontaneity guided the composition rather than holding tight to a structure.

For me, The Ribbon is about more than just form. It is about energy. It reflects how life itself often moves; sometimes gracefully and sometimes unexpectedly. But also moving us forward. I hope when people stand in front of this painting, they feel the same sense of motion, as if the ribbon continues to unfurl beyond the edges of the panel.

This work is part of my ongoing exploration of expressive abstraction. It represents the balance I am seeking between design and intuition. Like a ribbon caught in the wind, it carries both lightness and strength.

Doesn’t always work out

While it would be wonderful to create a magnificent piece of art every time you are at the easel or the wall. It doesn’t always work that way. Some paintings come together almost like they painted themselves. Others need more time to play and discover what this painting wants to be. It is a process and it is a process that cannot be forced as much as we may want a beautiful painting every time we paint. Painting isn’t really about that it is about expression of what we are feeling, what we are experiencing and what inspires us. This piece started off well and it has some good bones but needs to sit for a bit and I will come back to it when we both have had time to breathe. I never want a painting to feel forced it must just come naturally and in its own good time.

Evolution of Painting process

My painting process is evolving. We all change over time so it is to be expected that our painting process would change as we do. I am embracing these changes and excited to see where they will lead. I am also very excited about becoming part of a new Art Group the Waterside Group. I wonder if painting in a group will change how I view my painting process? While we only paint one day a week together and the rest is on our own I am very curious the influence the conversation of like minded artists will have on the evolution of my painting style and process. Stay tuned for more about that.

The image here is titled the Geometry of Life and has been in one juried show thus far this year. It is the cornerstone change in my expressive painting style kicking off I feel a looser and more energetic series of paintings. What do you think?

I don’t think of myself as a story teller but as I reflect on my work I realize that I am. Instead of writing the story now it appears in my paintings. Paintings that reflects not only what I am feeling but also the influences in my life. Painting enables me to express things that just go come out the same way with words. There is so much beauty in the world and I am so privileged to be able to experience the world through new eyes. Yesterday we went on a treasure hunt in my yard. Some of the treasures we uncovered were a bird’s feather, a snake skin that had been shed and small snail shells. Each new find was magical as we talked about each thing we found and lots of teaching moments about why snakes shed their skins but also some dreaming moments too like where is the snake now (I hoped we didn’t come across it). In any case encouraging him to keep using his imagination and dream. My hope is this translates in my painting.