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Several years ago I was introduced to the work of Maynard Dixon by way of an ongoing exhibit that not only contained his works of art but also his poetry. There was a particular poem that caught my attention in this exhibit of which I read and was forever moved by... it stuck with me much like a painting has a way of doing. For me, this poem brought forth a sense of the artist as a person and the spiritual connection to the land that inspired him.  Although the poem was written to commemorate the death of a friend, the words didn't resonate in me as something lost, but rather something to be found...  I suppose in a way it reminded me of my own inspiration and love for the desert, the desire to express the magic of it all, those unspeakable moments brought about by overwhelming beauty. The inward emotions of witnessing such a thing, tangled with an obsession to channel it somehow. That's the beauty of the arts... they stir us up...remind us...a simple poem for a lost friend written many years ago can stir a person today to remember the magic and wonder of the desert...

I'm returning once again to southern Utah for Maynard Dixon Country 2018 at the Thunderbird Foundation, a place that has an abundance of that beauty and magic, and where Dixon made his home and studio in Mt. Carmel. I feel honored to take part in this event, and I in turn feel that to partake in this event is an act of honoring... honoring the spirit of art, the spirit of Maynard Dixon, and the spirit of the land. It's times like these that have me feeling truly blessed and grateful, for the opportunity to celebrate what I'm passionate about and to share it with others who feel the same. Perhaps I will see you there... and I look forward to it!

I conclude with Dixon's poem...

AT LAST

At last,

I shall give myself to the desert again,

that I, in it's golden dust,

may be blown from a barren peak,

broadcast over the sun-lands.

If you should desire some news from me, go ask the little horned toad whose home is the dust,

or seek it among the fragrant sage,

or question the mountain juniper,

and, by their silence,

they will truly inform you.

~ Maynard Dixon

Witness - 6x12 oil Available during event

Desert Glory - 16x12 oil Available during event

For more information on the event www.thunderbirdfoundation.com

I love cats...all animals really, but I do particularly love the spirit of cats and find capturing that spirit compelling.

 My very first art sale was of a pencil drawing of two cats back in high school in the early 80's. Our class had an art display hanging in the library and the librarian fell in love with it and purchased it...what an uplifting, motivational moment that was! Recently I learned an interesting side story and coincidence about that cat drawing - my Aunt and Uncle who live in Anacortes, WA., were visiting and welcoming their new neighbor and after commenting on the drawing hanging in the neighbor's living room, learned that she was the librarian and that was my cat drawing... all these years later she still loved and cherished it!  Made my day to hear that story... what a bizarre moment that must have been for all of them!

During the past couple years, I've been exploring ways to loosen up my painting style and discovered that painting animals lent nicely to this practice.  My first attempts were with my own cats as models, Diva and Jaz... I used a limited palette of 3 colors plus white and used stencils and faux finishing tools in various painted layers to create unique and unusual backgrounds to support the cats. The limited palette helped me to focus more on technique and textures.

 "Soul of a Diva" - 12 x 12

This was a refreshing and enjoyable approach to painting for me, there was an excitement and freedom developing through painting cats that was allowing me to explore a much looser, painterly style that eventually would begin to trickle into all aspects of my work...and so I continued my exploration with unique mark making, including such things as dried grass and even bubble wrap! I also began seeking out new models to paint, always with my camera ready when visiting any friends with cats.

"Aries" 11 x 14 Available

Eventually I invested in some more mainstream mark making tools like the Speedball ink roller and various scrapers and palette knives, designed for the style of art I was doing. I continued to push the looser style, seeing how far I could take it without falling completely into the abstract, continuing the limited palette and creating interesting color schemes and harmonies. It was during this walking a fine line between abstract and realism that I started to feel something magical happening. It was also during this time that I discovered the cat world of Instagram and I had one of those "aha" moments... all of these beautiful cats and reference, how can I utilize this opportunity? I started reaching out to the #catsofinstagram people and when I would discover a cat that was inspirational to me I sent them a message, of which they would send me a reply containing written permission to use their images with the understanding that I own the copyright to all artwork created from their images. These requests were always met with excitement and enthusiasm for the project.

"Dana" from Brazil 8 x 8 Available through Endeavor Art Gallery

I realize there is much discussion and even rules about using other people's images for reference, which I must add, in all other cases I only use my own, this however was a very different circumstance. This was creating an opening and bond with people all over the world, sparking happiness and excitement of feeling part of something, this was creating relationships, friendships and smiles on peoples faces to see their loved pets as works of art. This project has certainly taken on dimensions I had not foreseen and even generated some sales, but having the opportunity to explore technique and making connections at the same time has become beyond rewarding... speaking of rewarding, after a last minute decision, I entered "Nim", one of the Instagram cat pieces, into the 2017 Celebrate the Arts Show in Benson, AZ, in March this year and so glad I did as she ended up winning Best of Show! I could not believe it! I was so happy and excited for the honor and of course so was Nim's family upon hearing the news!

"Nim" 8 x 8 available through Belleza Fine Art Gallery

So I continue on this path of exploring technique and finding my voice as an artist, continuing to grow and learn to the very end.  Through this exploration and practice of a looser style through painting cats, I am noticing an increasing influence in other subject areas - particularly my plein air painting style is getting much more expressive and loose with thicker paint and more texture, which has been very exciting!

Plein air painting during the Bisbee Garden Tour

I love this journey! I feel so blessed to be able to live a life doing what I love to do. It takes hard work and dedication, as well as working through moments of uncertainty and terror to reach my goals, but it is always worth it! An offering of advise on making it as an artist would be -  stay true to yourself and stick to your intentions, don't underestimate the power of unbending intent! Also, don't be afraid to experiment and try new things - dare to be an artist!!

Recently, during our return journey home from this year's Maynard Dixon Invitational Camp Out in southern Utah (a story all in it's own), we took a side trip to the Grand Canyon at the decision of my partner, Luke.  I was hesitant at first to do this...visiting the Grand Canyon and painting it's beauty has been on my bucket list for a long time and I felt I needed to give it my full attention, not a last minute, end of an exhausting week and a half long adventure.  However, we did it anyway and I have zero regrets!

When I first approached the edge and looked out I felt like I was in shock - I couldn't move, couldn't think and then came the tears...I was overwhelmed. The word "Profound" came to mind and how well it described what I was witnessing. At that same moment, I felt a little fear at the thought of setting up my easel and painting such a thing...how?? How could I possibly paint this? No pictures, no words could ever properly convey this place. I had to do it though... I wasn't leaving there without trying.

As I set up and began covering the canvas, I felt a humbleness wash over me... I was nothing more than a witness to a profound beauty stretched before me and as a witness, I expressed as best I could the truth as I saw it, as I "felt" it.  It didn't even matter to me how the painting looked, or whether it turned out, it was all about the moment and the experience. A refreshing reminder for an artist who sometimes gets lost in the pressures of the trade.

Painting at Navajo Point

I had a deeply magical first trip to see the Grand Canyon... it exceeded my expectations.

I wasn't ready to leave, but I will return!

Last week I attended the 2017 Bisbee Plein Air Festival, an event that I have participated in several times over the years. Those who know the town of Bisbee, AZ,  know of it's quirky personality. A historic town filled with beautiful architecture,  colorful red earth landscape dotted with greenery and once upon a time remainders of a bustling mining town. These scenes are iconic, and is generally predictable what will turn up in the artworks submitted during this plein air competition. This is a good thing, people love these recognizable scenes that Bisbee harbors and is one of many reasons why people return again and again to this award winning Southwest town. Oddly for me,  I was not drawn to the usual scenes this time around, I wanted to say something different about Bisbee...

My first inspiration was to do a nocturne overlooking the town, not the usual daytime depiction, but a night scene. It just so happened that the event fell on the full moon as well, giving an extra special focus to paint. It was magical!

Bisbee Moonrise • 12x6 in. • oil

Another inspiration for a different side of Bisbee happened in Lowell, about a 1/2 mile from Old Town Bisbee and technically still in the Bisbee city limits. Lowell is well known for it's "step back in time" appeal, with old store fronts, vintage cars, signs and memorabilia, with a funny feeling you might be in a Back to the Future movie landing you somewhere in the 1950s. Very inspirational for artists and photographers... however, not what caught my eye this time. No...what caught my eye was a run down, boarded up, bleak as can be building. I recognized a beauty in that bleakness, and wanted to capture it,  to tell it's hidden story. Here's the thing... there is a voice that pops up in one's head at this point saying "this isn't what people will be drawn to" or "this isn't iconic Bisbee", maybe not, but at that moment there was a choice, to stay true to my inspiration regardless if it's misunderstood, or to paint what is ordinarily appealing...very difficult choice when painting is one's livelihood. I chose to be true to my art, with the hope that the beauty I see transmits...

Door 74 • 12x9 in. • oil

I did paint a Bisbee scene that happened to be a popular subject among artists in the competition... the light and shadow play on this 1908 historic building, once the community center, were quick to grab the eye. It's lovely arched openings filled with deep darks, reflected lights and interesting edges only tempted one further. It was here that I painted alongside fellow artists in a joyful comradery of figuring out how to capture the mood and scene.

Popular Inspiration • 10x8 in. • oil

I won no awards at this event and I did not sell anything, but I had wonderful experiences and connections with friends and fellow artists. In all honesty those matter more.