Awaken. 9 x 12″ on Paper. Click here to visit my shop.

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Lately I am just loving to paint these characters with more human faces.

I love exploring the duality between physical and nonphysical worlds and how the two can exist together.

I am inspired by Renaissance portraits with their very realistic portrayal of the human form. The eyes and face always seem so soft, expressive and so telling.

In this piece, I chose to keep the facial features more realistic and then really abstract the body and external world using neon colors. I wanted to show how we can remain in this very solid, human form but all thoughts and experiences exist both within and around us.

I love beginning these pieces with simple circle shapes. Creating the pattern is very meditative. It reminds me to keep things simple.

From there, I always pencil in my character’s face, body and hair.

But it takes layers and layers before I connect with the painting. I like to paint until I feel the feelings in whatever I create.

At first, the character often looks more like a cartoon. I like to keep the light hardheartedness and freedom in that initial face, but add depth and realism with more layers.

I’m finding joy in following what I love and remembering there is no right or wrong way.

xo,

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Ps. If you want even more inspiration and insights into my creative process, plus some details that I only share in email, sign up for my newsletter here.

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Pps. the Early Bird Spaces for Wild & Free Painting – A Mini Course are nearly sold out. The first sale spots sold out over the weekend, so I’ve added more and now there are just a few left (these extra spots usually fill in just a few days).

Thank you to everyone who has already registered!

Sign up for Early Bird registration at $45 (use code WILD). Once that sale price tier fills up, the class will return to full pricing of $55. 3 Month Payment Plans are also available and the appropriate early bird discount will be applied at checkout.