The Culling, 2023
Watercolor and gouache on paper
36 x 60 inches
Framed in white wood frame behind plexiglass.
Jewels of the Pond
The reference photos I used to create this moment in a beautiful Koi pond were taken at my favorite cafe in Kyoto Japan. We lived in Yokohama for 4 years and my frequent visits to Kyoto always included a stop to see the Koi in their garden pond.
The watercolor painting is 19.5×13.3/4 in a 20×14 inch frame with a wide mat.
Underwater Harmony: A Colorful Dance
These colorful Koi always bring a smile to my face. This 11×17 inch watercolor is framed without a mat creating an interesting almost aquarium look. I used layers of transparent watercolor for vivid color and depth with touches of opaque white for the brightest highlights.
Danza De Los Alebrijes
Danza De Los Alebrijes (Dance of the Alebrijes) is a 22″x28″ acrylic and oil painting, part of my Alebrije Inspired series. Alebrijes (ah-lay-bree-heys) are vibrantly colored, intricately hand-painted sculptures of animals, people, objects, or fantastical creatures. They are made from wood or papier mache. This Mexican folk art originated in Mexico City, but Oaxaca City, in the state of Oaxaca, is now considered the epicenter for alebrijes.
Explosion at a Thingamabob Factory
Explosion at a Thingamabob Factory is a 22″x28″ acrylic and oil painting. Color is very important to me and plays a huge part in the creation of my artwork. The shapes and forms in this painting are abstract, but some evoke creatures.
Grace
Grace is an 8×8 inch watercolor I created from one of the many reference photos I took of Geisha while visiting Kyoto. We lived in Yokohama for 4 years and I enjoyed several trips to the beautiful Kyoto area. These women truly are living, breathing, walking works of art and it’s always a thrill to capture a glimpse.
This painting won 1st Prize in Watercolor category of the Yosemite Sierra Artists Annual Show & Competition in 2024.
Culebra Ebra Abra
Culebra Ebra Abra is a 22″x28″ acrylic and oil painting, part of my Alebrije Inspired series. Alebrijes (ah-lay-bree-heys) are vibrantly colored, intricately hand-painted sculptures of animals, people, objects, or fantastical creatures. They are made from wood or papier mache. This Mexican folk art originated in Mexico City, but Oaxaca City, in the state of Oaxaca, is now considered the epicenter for alebrijes.
My name for this painting came from a song by Venezuelan band leader, musician, and singer, Oscar D’Leon, AKA The Lion of Salsa. In the song, he introduces his piano player whose name is Culebra (which means snake in Spanish) as ‘Culebra ebra ebra abra’, a musical riff on Culebra’s name.
Beauty
This 8×8 inch watercolor was inspired by the many visits to Kyoto I enjoyed while living in Japan. Geisha in Kyoto are called Geiko or Maiko (when they are younger apprentice geisha).
Hootie Patootie
‘Hootie Patootie’ is a 12″x12″ acrylic and oil painting, part of my Alebrije Inspired series. Alebrijes (ah-lay-bree-heys) are vibrantly colored, intricately hand-painted sculptures of animals, people, objects, or fantastical creatures. They are made from wood or papier mache. This Mexican folk art originated in Mexico City, but Oaxaca City, in the state of Oaxaca, is now considered the epicenter for alebrijes.
Geisha Stroll
This 10×8 inch watercolor is painted on a specially treated canvas and then sealed with spray varnish so that it doesn’t need to have glass over it.
