Opportunity Mandala

Opportunity Mandala- Oil on Wood Panel, 11' X 14"

The process of creating a mandala is hypnotic and somewhat like spiritual chanting. However, instead of the repetition of sound, the process involves a repetition of form, color and line. As painting is already a trance-like exercise, the symmetrical and circular quality was an interesting experience.

My intentions of creating something more than a melded grouping of hummingbirds began as a process that was much more technical than something emotional and symbolic. Interestingly enough, without realizing it, I was thinking about the opportunities that will be heading my way.

Psychoanalist, Carl Jung thought mandalas were "a representation of the unconscious self." There is a truth that I recognize in this when I paint. Since all of my paintings essentially happen, I learned to trust my subconscious to guide my process. I'm interested in what feelings will emerge as I continue to create more mandalas, combined with recognizable subject matter.

Hummingbird and Sunflowers

Hummingbird and Sunflowers,Oil on Wood Panel, 20" x 24"

This painting has been stored in my studio for a while. The idea was sparked by amazing sunsets that I'm always in awe of. I set out to create my version of the evening spectacles that struck me as being strongly horizontal.

The series that this painting was a part of was called, In Grandeur. As I pursued the series, I came to a conclusion that "in grandeur" signifies creatures living in a big expanse. For a while the only creatures in this horizontal expanse were the wild sunflowers. Funny that it took so long to add a more animated creature to this painting. Done!

Hummingbird and Black Birds

Hummingbird and Black Birds- Oil on Wood Panel with Silver Leaf, 20" x 24"

My painting definitely echo the things going on inside my head. One self-interpretation is that I've been preoccupied with work related concerns. The second, and more favorable interpretation is understanding that our universe is complex and always has the potential for good and bad.

It's very easy to want to combat the forces that loom in our lives, but there comes a time that letting go of fighting these forces and putting more effort into the focus of the positive aspects of our lives. I wanted to portray "the dark side" as something less menacing as hatred, evil and cruel. instead I've visual communicated that it is part of the balance of life and that we can rise above the feeling that we must always be fighters.

Black Birds and Hummingbirds

Black Birds and Hummingbirds- Oil on wood panel, 20" x 24"

I've been working on a series of hummingbird paintings. I'll let it be known publicly that I recently experienced some depression. It wasn't a deep depression, but I knew that I wasn't my usual, energetic and happy self. For a while, I could not sing. The notes just wouldn't leave my throat. I thought, what's with this? I always sing.

I spent many days, weeks in fact, spending the day on our blue sofa, surfing the internet and checking my email. As much as I knew that I had to get up and get things done, I felt drained and took naps instead.

Then there was a day that I thought about passed paintings and I realized that all the hummingbird paintings that I have ever created are no longer in my hands. That means they're popular and that people relate to hummingbirds. I encouraged myself to get up and do just one hummingbird painting. I prepared a canvas, took out my paints and went to work. When I finished, I looked at it, I liked what I saw and felt encouraged to do one more painting.

The process continued. With every completed painting, I felt like another brick of despondency was lifted off my back. The hummingbirds, along with working with therapists, were healing me. My creative energy was at my side to rescue me, again! About two paintings into this project, I started to go out for regular walks and meeting friends at the nearby coffee shop. I carried my camera everywhere I went and took pictures of myself with friends. I took pictures of dogs too because I love them. This activity got my circulation flowing and as I looked at the photos that I took, I was happy!

Then I made the revelation that I am the hummingbird! The hummingbird represented my old self: vibrant, energetic and free in my surroundings. My hummingbird paintings reverberate in the painted panels. They energize their surroundings and I created the space around them by carrying the angles of their bodies and wings into the space around them. This is my way of being. I am in the moment and I create the world around me. I bring the color to the world as I see it. I'm inquisitive. My inner sole often takes flight, at least once a day. I am the hummingbird!

Geometric Rainbow Hummingbird

Geometric Rainbow Hummingbird- 11" x 14" oil on wood panel.

You bring your own optimism to the world. 

Hummingbird in Prism

20" x 24", Oil on Wood Panel with Silver Leaf.

The hummingbirds symbolizes hope, joy and optimism. The angles in this hummingbird's environment are created by the hummingbird's shape and movement. This illustrates our ability to participate in the shaping of our life experiences. We can create our joy!

The colors in this painting also suggest the power we have to spread our joy to the space around us. 

Rainbow Hummingbird

(Oil on Wood Panel, 11" x 14")

As I've said, I've come to the realization that the hummingbird represents me in my latest series. Globally, the hummingbird represents all of us who are out for a sense of adventure and involving ourselves in our surroundings. We have the power to influence the world with our positive energy- to bring color and our curiosity to those around us.

Hummingbird with Yellow Flowers

This painting was created using the geometrics of the hummingbird form. I like the fact that the hummingbird form fits perfectly in a kite shape. I wanted this painting to evoke a feeling of optimism by using color, subject matter and shape to make it soar!

Oil on Wood Panel with Silver Leaf, 11" x 14".

San Diego Hummingbird

Just finished another painting for an upcoming show. I've come to the realization that I am the hummingbird in many of my paintings. Drawing and painting are such amazing processes for me. When I get lost in the process of painting, it's like stream of consciousness writing. One of the interesting parts of the painting process is standing back when the painting is completed and analyze it as if it were a dream to try to understand.

This week I was certainly influenced by the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. I also took notice of the natal plum plants growing in a shopping center parking lot. When I saw the star-like flowers, I thought it would be interesting to pair them with a starlit sky.

(Oil on wood panel, 20" X 24")

9 Hummingbirds and Hisbiscus

I'll dream of hummingbirds so my hopes and motivation soar like they do. Oil and Silver Leaf on Wood Panel, 11" x 14".

I've been walking around the neighborhood taking pictures of flowers, birds and dogs. I've posted some of these recently. Here's the newest painting based on the photos and what I've seen. By the way, there is no dog in this painting, so don't try looking for it! 

After creating several hummingbird paintings, people have shared with me their personal connection to the hummingbird. It's been fascinating and inspired me to do more. It seems that many people feel that the hummingbird is the reinvented soul of a passed loved one.

The painting is 11" x 14", oil on wood panel.

Hummingbird and Geranium

Hummingbird and Geranium is the latest painting to be completed for the October show at Toma Sol Cafe. It is an oil on wood panel, 20" x 24". The show at Splash Wine will still be up through this month with the reception on September 6th. 

The hummingbirds are still a'buzz outside my window in the canyon. They look like they're having fun.

Hummingbird and White Passionflower

Hummingbird with White Passionflower- 20" x 24", Oil on Wood Panel.

I finished the latest in the hummingbird series. I've combined a hummingbird with one of my favorite flowers. There also something magical about a passionflower. I paired a white variety with an interested hummingbird.

Passionflowers are like elaborate stars, especially the white varieties. It makes a great backdrop to the fascinating hummingbird.

I've been walking around the neighborhood taking pictures of flowers, birds and dogs. I've posted some of these recently. Here's the newest painting based on the photos and what I've seen. By the way, there is no dog in this painting, so don't try looking for it! 

After creating several hummingbird paintings, people have shared with me their personal connection to the hummingbird. It's been fascinating and inspired me to do more. It seems that many people feel that the hummingbird is the reinvented soul of a passed loved one.

The painting is 11" x 14", oil on wood panel.

Hummingbird and White Flowers, Oil on Wood Panel, 11" x 14"

I also have a fascination of flowers and white flowers in particular. This stems from a "white on white" painting project that I had years ago in art school. In this case, however, I wanted a more robust use of color, so I set the white flowers and hummingbird on a background of vivid, fire-like colors. I've also added silver leaf to the painting for its reflective quality to enhance the hot, bold background.

Twilight Hummingbird, Oil on Panel, 11" x 14"

Again, I wanted to pair two magical subjects in the same painting. As I paired the wonderful hummingbird with the solar eclipse in another painting, I wanted to pair the hummingbird with twilight time in this one.

I found a photo of a trumpet flower that I had taken and found the silhouette of what looked like two people inside this backlit flower. I combined all these elements in this painting.
 

Solar Eclipse and Three Hummingbirds, Oil on Panel (11" X 14")

Repeatedly, people have responded enthusiastically to my hummingbird paintings. There is something irresistible about these wonderful birds. They're mysterious, beautiful and many of my acquaintances agree that there presence evokes a spiritual feeling. Two of my close friend feel that the presence of hummingbirds is like a resurrection of a dearly departed loved one.

When we recently experienced a solar eclipse in San Diego I felt that the pairing of the cosmic event and presence of hummingbird would be a magical idea for a painting. I have several more ideas to pursue with this combined subject matter.

Hummingbird with White Flowers

My latest painting. (Oil on Wood Panel, with Silver Leaf) A change of color palate and a return to silver leaf.

Twilight Hummingbird

My latest painting: Twilight Hummingbird, (Oil on Wood Panel, 11" x 14"). When I presented my last mini-series of hummingbirds, several people shared with me their feeling that these wondrous birds represented the lively spirit of departed loved ones. It occurred to me that the birds' appearances brought back fond memories and also spontaneous smiles. Thus, what a great subject to paint!

Solar Eclipse and Three Hummingbirds

Solar Eclipse and Three Hummingbirds, Oil on Wood Panel, 11" x 14"

There's something about hummingbirds that is magical. Also magical are celestial events such as eclipses and meteor showers. The recent solar eclipse gave me the ideas to combine both hummingbirds and the solar eclipse in the same painting.