Marassa Jumeaux.

Acrylic latex on primed plaster,  22″ x  24″.

The Marassa mural was done today at the Botanica. The devine twins are the embodiment of the mysterious bonds between heaven and Earth. They also possess both masculinity and femininity respective to each twin. I enjoy the piece’s sense of antiquity. There’s also a bold simplcity that comes out of it as well. The mural concludes a long, complex series of narratives  that I started in January. I’ve learned so much since then and I’m really glad  of the journey. My clients are in awe of how their “expectations were not only met, but surpassed.” And I have surprised myself continually throughout the process. It’s been amazing!

St. Lazarus.

Acrylic latex on primed plaster.  6′ x 8′.

The mural of St. Lazarus was finished tonight at the Botanica. The story of Lazarus was quite poignant because it exemplifies Jesus’ power over death. The piece was really fun to paint. I loved the mix of photo tones with fantastic hues! Its very meaty visually. I feel like I could spend all day exploring the scene behind him. My clients really love this mural.

Le Sirene (Yemaya).

Acrylic latex on primed plaster.   5′ x 9′.

This mural of Le Sirene was finished this evening at Milokan Botanica. Le Sirene is a beautiful mermaid who is said to own all the riches of the seas. She is a tireless queen of the sea with the power to bestow wealth and beauty upon all who serve her. It was a little challenging working on her after working on such realistic iconic paintings. I’m happy with the piece. Its dreamy and whimsical. I enjoy working that way from time to time. My clients were very pleased with the sensuality and vibrance of the piece.

St. George.

Acrylic latex on primed plaster,  24″ x 36″.

This mural of St. George and the dragon is a very old and popular story. The piece itself was both challenging and satisfying. Its got a lot of movement in it. I learned so much from painting it.

St. Anthony

Acrylic latex on primed plaster.    24″ x 36″.

This mural of St. Anthony was finished last week. The patron saint of missing persons and lost things was used in a fluid and continuing narrative at the Botanica. I did extensive under painting in this piece. I really wanted to bring out that glowing, radiant quality that usually permeates adoring love.

St. Clare of Assissi.

Acrylic latex on primed plaster,  24″x 36″.

There are some  Native Americans who believe that “the richest man is the man who has nothing.” That’s the essence of St. Clare’s story. She and her sisters lived with no money, no shoes, and ate no meat. They lived in a very poor house, yet they were extremely happy because they felt God’s presence all the time. I find that narrative very refreshing considering the times we live in. All our little conveniences grow exponentially by the hour. We are so spoiled by modern technologies. The thought of choosing to live in poverty in order to obtain that devine connection is as admirable as it is profound.

John the Baptist.

Acrylic latex,  24″ x 36″.

I just finished this mural of young John the Baptist. I really enjoyed painting the piece. Many subtle layers help to create a radiant glow throughout. He is part of a grand narrative in the current series, but he is also known as the prophet who prepared for Jesus’ coming.

Our Lady of Sorrows.

Acrylic latex on primed plaster.    3′ x 5′.

Our Lady of Sorrows, a variation of the Virgin Mary, kicked off the new mural set I’ve been commissioned to do. It prompts us to keep our eyes on the prize (true beauty), despite the ugly hardships that life can bring. I feel great about the piece!

Jesus.

Acrylic latex on primed plaster.  24″ x 36″.

I finished this mural today at Milokan Botanica. It is the smallest in a series of three that I was commissioned to do 10 days ago. The Sacred Heart of Jesus was chosen by the owners as a background presence in the mural. A reminder of the true source of power in their spirituality. Having finally had a chance to step back and take a breath, I feel satisfied with this piece, as well as all the others. The process has left me with a renewed sense of creativity and an eagerness to paint more!!

St. Barbara.

Acrylic latex on primed plaster.  48″ x 18″.

The St. Barbara mural was done tonight at the Botanica. It was a fairly small space so I was able to finish it pretty quickly. St. Barbara has been known throughout history as the patron saint of military men and engineers who work with explosives because of the old legends that associated her with lightning. She is also a strong figure in modern spiritualism. I loved using complimentary colors as a continuing thread for this entire project. Its been an incredible process!

St. Peter.

Acrylic latex paint on primed plaster.  2′ x 4′.

This mural of St. Peter was completed last night at the Botanica. St. Peter was one of Jesus’ original apostles and the keeper of the keys to the kingdom. I think my patrons chose the top of the doorway for Peter as a metaphore for that. I really love how tactile this piece is! The different textures are the result of different treatments in each area.

Archangel Michael.

Acrylic latex, paint on primed surface.  15′ x 10′.

I completed this piece tonight at Milokan Botanica. St. Michael, or the Archangel Michael is a vital part of the patron’s spiritual narrative. In the 4th century he was first seen as a healing angel. Later he became a general, leading God’s armies against the forces of evil. The idea of him also being a protector of youth was what made his image ideal for this space.

The Black Madonna.

 

Acrylic latex, paint on primed wall.                3′ x 5′.

This mural of the Black Madonna was completed today at Milokan Botanica. The idea of the Black Madonna was first realized as the dark skin of the goddess Isis. Her dark skin (or blackness) was associated with the life-force of all matter. This iconic Earth mother plays an important role in modern spiritualism.

Dreams from the Tardis: Don’t Blink.

Acrylic and newspaper on canvas.   22″ x 30″.

This piece encroaches on the legendary, “… its bigger on the inside,” principle of the show. The Weeping Angels are there as these ultimate power hungry villains stuck on the outside looking in. Their single greatest ambition is to obtain the box and all the power of time therein. As its own entity, the police box is quite aware of things that are required from it. So I think that the Weeping Angel is a part of its consciousness in terms of the obvious magnetism that exists between them. But the angel is frozen in time without the box.

Dreams from the Tardis : The Novice.

Acrylic on canvas.   22″ x 30″.

This piece is #2 in the series. I chose Novice Hame because she’s a really controversial figure in the show. On the one hand she and her peers in the senate do everything they can to protect the people of their world, but to the point of tyranny. On the other hand, she is the guardian of the race, trying to ensure that the species is safe guarded from death and disease. She began with the purest of intentions. But her dream was flawed. A fact she was oblivious to until the Dr. pointed it out.

Dreams from the Tardis : 14.

Acrylic  on canvas.   22″ x 30″.

This piece is part of a Dr. Who series I’m working on. The show is amazing on so many levels! The themes are universal and there is something really beautiful about time traveling through the universe in something so ordinary as a police box. The Dr. himself has taken on many incarnations since the series began back in 1963. But this series is centered on my favorite incarnation, the 10th Dr., David Tennant. He is both timeless and timely all at once. He brings an element of fun to the dangers that plague our planet. He has a rebelious energy about him that I think serves the Dr. very well. The show is inspired so I think this is a great way to start the new year. Happy 2013 all!!

Tree of Life.

Gold, silver, and white paint pen on paper.  12″ x 18″.

This was a minimal reference, free-hand exercise in drawing for me. To draw a line on the page without having to think about whether it is straight enough, curved enough, or where it was in space was a little odd at first. As it turned out, the more lines I drew on the page, the more giddy I felt. Like a child at play.

Lush.

 

Paint pen and ink on paper.  8 1/2″ X 11″

This piece evolved over the course of 3 days. The process was incredibly exciting! It began with the idea of a serene buddha. The dense forest took it to an entirely different level. The idea of being able to find one’s center,  at the center of chaos itself. The space around the buddha is so loud, alive, and unpredictable, and yet there she sits; absorbing the jungle in the sheer brilliance of her own peace. I feel that inertia every time I see it!

Bella Morte.

Acrylic, gouache, ink on linoleum, 12″ X 12″ (each).

This piece was conceived on a cold, rainy day in the magic city within a 3 week period. I witnessed the demise of a relatively small, simple and elusive creature. It got me thinking about the state of things and the irony of our inevitability. I hit on the idea of death as a transformation rather than an end, and beauty existing even in the breakdown of the final procession of this journey. The idea of having a chance at spiritual rebirth; like a phoenix from the ashes. I think Joseph Campbell called it “the awakening of awe.”