I’ve had the opportunity to create three different paintings using a single reference of Rainbow Eucalyptus tree bark. The first version was completed early in 2015 when I started the PaintedBark series. I believe I was simultaneously painting 5 others at the time in advance of my first solo show. Whew! The second version was an exploration into simple marks and shapes. I was studying De Kooning and how in his later years he simply uses basic colors and marks to make impressions. I believe that painting was done in 2018. The third version was recently completed this month in 2023 and represents my latest technical and compositional processes. Do you see the original bark aspects in these paintings? Let me know which version best resonates with you. They say good things come in 3’s!

After moving my studio from kauai, to california, to idaho… I’ve finally had time to lay down some serious paint. These are three new pieces in progress… To be finished after the second commission of the year. Thank you to my new and old collectors…

When you look at a piece of art do you know what it represents?  It is the culmination of the artist’s thoughts and feelings and inputs all coming out as an expression.  In the case of “Let Your Light Shine”, I was in internal strife dealing with input I received from an Art curator, my own dis-belief in my abilities, and a new studio that is not ideal.  I worked many hours on this painting, struggling with these feelings and constantly questioning my life and how I am spending my time.

I don’t know if I resolved anything during this process, but I do believe that the painting represents a new level for me.  This painting has much more depth and meaning than any of my other paintings.  I named it “Let Your Light Shine” because it means to me that whatever abilities we have, we should let them shine – regardless what others may think – regardless of how you think you stack up to others – regardless of the outcome.   Let them shine.

I’m thankful for the many positive comments regarding this painting.  From lucious and fluid, to full of energy, to having shakti energy.  But my favorite is that it is “scary spiritual”.  That comment seems to resonate with me most.  I believe that our gifts are given to us by God – and we are simply conduits for His work to be done.  Our quest is to get His light shine through us.

Of course we all know about the lava flow that created our beautiful islands.  This lava keeps flowing on the Big Island and was in my thoughts as I painted this picture.  I love how the contrast of the excitement on the left is balanced with the calmness on the right.  See how the lava wants to push its way to the middle of the picture?

 

When I took this photo, I thought a painting would be amazing.  Especially a very large one.  I also wanted to be very free and throw paint very much as I did when I first started painting the painted bark series.  During the process I felt this expansion and the feeling that there is so much more that is happening beyond the frame of the canvas.  Forms are extending, lines are running off the top… So much more I want to see