leave the light on

Light unveils all things that hide in the shadows. Monsters disappear as soon as the lights turn on. Your mind is distracted, instead of lying there in the dark with just your thoughts. Which is in fact the real monster.

"Nightlight" - 20x24 - oil on canvas

The mind is amazing. And its amazing what you end up doing to yourself in order to deal with things. Ive come to realize the girls I paint, most times, are adapting to their surroundings. The hair is an extension of themselves and acts as a visual to whats going on inside them. In this case shes desperately creating light to constantly shine upon her, so there is no chance of darkness seeping in. In doing so shes altering the balance of nature, and it will eventually do her harm.

into the abyss

Im pretty obsessed with the Abyss, not the movie, but the real abyss.

I love the fact there is still uncharted areas of the ocean, and we still keep finding new creatures dwelling down there.

Its amazing how much some of the creatures actually look like monsters. Its almost sad too, they live so desperately in the pitch black darkness. Sometimes it seems like they are being punished.

this piece is partners with "The Taxidermist's daughter"

"Submerged" - 20x24- oil on canvas

In this piece and "The Taxidermist's Daughter", each girl is dealing with the surroundings they have put themselves in.

The darkness has a certain appeal. Its silent, you can have solitude and its mysterious. Its easy to get drawn into it, and its easy to get lost in it as well. And if your not careful and pull yourself away, you start to adapt. Eventually you find yourself a totally different person all alone living desperately in the pitch black darkness.

Heavy

Each one of the pieces for the show has a partner, they are almost like pros and cons in a way.

Both sides are represented. This piece is a partner to "Sweet Oblivion"

"Burden" - 36x48 - oil on canvas

Everyone is afraid of dark times. Uncontrollable dark times. War is a heavy burden for many. I personally know a few who are undoubtedly controlled by the fear of a bomb blasting Apocalypse. It has overtaken their mind, and even though they try to hide it. A conversation will start, and somehow they are staring off into space talking about the end of the world.

It is indeed frightening. And again at one point in my life, it was something I couldnt stop thinking about.

Even now its something thats hard to hear about, or thinking about. I instantly want to forget about it, and be completely oblivious that the world is a ticking time bomb. But I think its important to brace yourself for everything. No one wants to step into the darkness, but ignoring it will only do you harm. I think its important to address what your afraid of, dont ignore it, but dont let it overtake you either. Having peace of mind is very hard to accomplish. I have the seed planted in me, it just needs to grow. I need to know how to handle this fragile thing.

This isnt a political piece. Im not protesting anything. This is a reminder to look around you and enjoy the beauty we were given. Gather peace of mind and let your burdens go.

2 years later

Last night was the opening for "The Great Balancing Act", and after every opening night theres a bittersweet type of feeling. Like I said before, Ryan and I have been working on this for 2 years, theres been alot that has gone into the show, mostly emotions. Its exhausting, physically and mentally. Your up all hours of the night hunched over your easel, you got carpal tunnel and your eyes hurt. Not to mention all the technical problems.

So when opening night comes your so tired and out of it, its all a blur, and you say to yourself" what happened, can we do that again I missed it".

This feeling adds to the need of working toward another show, but it all happens the same. Everything is a endless loop of desire and need. oh well.

all of these images started with this piece, which came too me while listening to Muse's song "City of Delusion".

"Sweet Oblivion" - 36x48 - oil on canvas

my once fear of tornado's, and my new fascination with them brought certain thoughts to me.

When I finally overcame my fear I was going through a extremely hard time in my life. I had to face things I never wanted to before. It was hell. I could say it feels mentally like what a heroin addict must feel physically when going through detox. Your ridding yourself of these toxic things. And once it starts theres no going back, you have to go all the way.

I eventually found what I need to get through the darkness. I have that tool now, and am using it to face what remains. After I realized this my nightmares of tornado's stopped.

"Sweet Oblivion" is just about that. Oblivious to the dangers around you, with your head in the clouds.

She is gently pulling along her home in safety with certainty nothing bad will ever happen. While someones home and all their possessions are seconds away from being destroyed. Which is in fact reality. Bad things will happen, and when they happen you must be ready to face them, and deal with the rubble thats left behind.

New Print.

I will have a new print available through Rivers Edge Gallery, for the show next week.

"The Taxidermist's Daughter"

16x20

giclee print on velvet art paper

limited to 25

signed and numbered

you can get one online starting the 18th, and in gallery on opening night, the 19th

sneak peak: progress 2

peak at one of the big pieces Im currently working on.

::pretty crappy photo ahead::

At one time I had a terrible fear of tornado's.

But somehow now, I am no longer, and would love to see a real one.

This painting has been sketched up for 2 years now, it feels good to finally paint it.

Ive been working so hard on all these pieces.

Ive pretty much cut off the outside world, and locked myself away, only to come out to eat and sleep.

::hiss::

sneak peak: progress

currently working on a tower of books.

lately I seem to be painting large amounts of objects. Im not sure why.

This should be done already, but I lose focus when painting the same thing over and over.

heres a little quote that gives some perspective on where Im going with this piece

"Information is not knowledge" ~ Albert Einstein

and I think he would know.

The Taxidermist daughter

I meant to write about the piece in my last post. But I was very tired and out of it.

Taxidermy is a strange thing.

Here is this thing, that once was alive, moved, ate, slept, lived..and is now dead and forever posed for viewing pleasure. I have nothing against it, but it is a little odd to me.

Then there are the ones who stuff their loved pets, which I really find strange. Kinda like the prince in Snow White who wanted her in a glass coffin so he can look at her forever. Not normal.

The Taxidermists daughter, is not dead. She is encased in a time of innocence and youth, that is now gone. And she will eventually suffocate in the world she has outgrown.

I find myself always wanting to shut the reality of the world out. I want to forget that evil exists, and surround myself in a plush safe colorful world. Living this way is dangerous, you become blind and foolish to what lurks in the dark. And once that safe world crumbles its hard to recover.

Sneak Peak

"The Taxidermist's Daughter"

20x24

oil on canvas

one of my piece's for "The Great Balancing Act"

Im currently working on the last of them. Which will be some of the biggest pieces Ive ever done.

Its been pretty humid here, and making my paint dry super slow. I hope it all gets done on time.

source/reference/inspiration

glowing sucker octopus

flyer

sneak peaks soon.

Ryan+Me = super rad show!

I met Ryan at an art fair we both did when I was first starting out. And instantly liked him. His work has a combination of chaos and beauty. And hes a super cool cat to boot. I had been wanting to do this series of work, and knew I would need someone with the same life ambitions as myself to partner up with, and Ryan was 1st in my mind.

heres some of his past works.

see more Ryan G Hill

The Great Balancing Act

Ive been working on pieces for this show since the beginning of the year. Me and Ryan ( who will be my partner this time) were having trouble on a title for the show. But we finally decided on "The Great Balancing Act". These pieces are very personal, and important subjects to me. Balancing life is something I struggle with everyday. I tend to lean off to one side very easily. But once there I want to go to the other side. I have a hard time finding balance, and its balance that I want. I also find it amusing that I am a Gemini. Though I dont really believe in Astrology, I find it fascinating. I can see why we have been looking to the stars for information, its alluring and mysterious, but I ultimately believe the universe has a whole other purpose. But I digress. Balance is the inspiration for these new pieces. Everything has to have balance, or it all can topple over in a great huge mess. If we lean to one side, so far we cant even see the other side, whats to happen?

here is a sneak peak. I will eventually show the whole piece once its professionally scanned.

the show is set for June 12th.

I'll be posting more info throughout the next couple months.